In-game bonus points and extra points for away wins could be introduced to the World Test Championship as part of discussions to reform the competition before the next cycle begins in June.
The final of the 2023-25 championship, pitting Australia against South Africa at Lord’s, begins on June 11. England’s five-Test series against India, which marks the start of the 2025-27 championship, then begins on June 20.
There have been widespread complaints – principally in England – about the championship, with a belief that the points system is unfair. The points penalties for slow over rates, which England have repeatedly fallen foul of, have already been relaxed. Now, there are discussions about wider changes to the points system, to take effect for the new cycle.
Bonus points for the margin of victory – similar to the model used in the Super Rugby competition – is one idea that will be discussed at the next International Cricket Council board meeting in early April. The current points system gives the same weighting to all victories, whether they are by one run or by an innings. Under the proposed reforms, teams could earn bonus points if they register an emphatic margin of victory, such as by an innings. It is hoped that the change could ensure that interest remains in matches in which the result is already inevitable.
Two other potential changes being considered would weight victories based on the side defeated. One such idea would award more points to wins away from home. It is thought that this could lead sides to give more focus to series overseas and encourage more rigorous preparation, ultimately producing more competitive cricket.
Another concept being mooted is a seeding system, which would weight the points that a team could win based on the country that they face. In practice, this would be likely to increase England’s chances of qualifying for the final of the competition, reflecting how England meet both Australia and India in each cycle.
The Australian team celebrate winning the World Test Championship.Credit: AP
With these two envisaged changes, a result such as New Zealand’s spectacular 3-0 victory in India last year would receive significantly more points. Under the existing system, New Zealand earned no more for the historic result than, say, England did for their 3-0 win at home to West Indies last summer.
There has been some criticism that South Africa’s route to this year’s final was aided by the schedule. During the 2023-25 cycle, South Africa defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Test series at home and Bangladesh and West Indies away, alongside a home draw with India and a defeat in New Zealand. South Africa did not play either Australia or England in the period.
