In the cricketing realm, the World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced as the pinnacle tournament for Test cricket, often referred to as the “Test World Cup.” Initiated by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the WTC aimed to bring added significance to Test matches, offering a league competition format spanning multiple years.
However, as the inaugural season (2019-21) concluded with New Zealand emerging as the champions and the third edition currently underway, questions arise: Is the World Test Championship making Test cricket worse?
Unlike traditional bilateral series, the WTC is a league competition that spans several years, with each team playing a set number of matches. The top two teams then compete in the WTC final to determine the ultimate champion. Despite the noble intention of revitalizing Test cricket, critics argue that the WTC has had adverse effects on the format.
One notable aspect of the WTC that has stirred controversy is the distinction between league games and the WTC finals. While the league games are not considered official ICC events, the WTC finals hold that status. Furthermore, the broadcasting rights for league games lie with the host nation’s cricket board rather than the ICC. This differentiation has added a layer of complexity to the WTC structure.
Mark Butcher believes World Test Championship has worsened Test Cricket
Mark Butcher, a former England cricketer, has joined the chorus of voices expressing concerns about the impact of the WTC on Test cricket. Butcher believes that the introduction of the championship has coincided with a decline in the popularity and competitiveness of Test cricket.
“One of the things that’s made this even more inevitable is something that they’ve done to try to salvage Test match cricket, which is the World Test Championship,” Butcher remarked on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.
He continued, “The point is that your bilateral series have to capture the imagination of the fans and the players of the two countries that are playing in it, and then the wider cricket watching public. And the only way they are that is if they are competitive. And that’s how it always was.”
The expansion of the format over three years has raised concerns about the potential dilution of the significance of individual Test matches and series. Butcher argued that the WTC’s attempt to keep Test cricket relevant has, paradoxically, contributed to making it worse.
The recent team selections for the New Zealand-South Africa series have added fuel to the debate. South Africa named a B team, featuring seven uncapped players, including skipper Neil Brand, for the series against New Zealand. In contrast, New Zealand opted for a formidable squad, emphasizing the perceived disparity in the importance attributed to different series.
The overarching fear is that the WTC might contribute to the gradual decline of Test cricket, with experts suggesting that soon only three nations—New Zealand, Australia, and India—might remain committed to the format. Cricket South Africa (CSA) cited its desire to prepare players for franchise cricket as a reason behind its unconventional team selection.
As the WTC continues its journey in reshaping the landscape of Test cricket, the cricketing community remains divided on whether the championship is a blessing or a curse for the longest format of the game. Only time will tell whether the pursuit of a Test World Cup has inadvertently hastened the demise of the very essence it sought to preserve.
Also, see:
3 ways to save Test cricket from dying
