WTC 2023-25: The cricketing world is set to witness the commencement of the third edition of the World Test Championship (WTC). Kick-starting this new cycle is the much-anticipated Australia vs England Ashes series, starting on Friday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has shared a detailed schedule, outlining the thrilling encounters to take place between 2023 and 2025.
For Australia, their WTC defence starts in Birmingham, before moving onto Lord’s, Leeds, Manchester, and The Oval. The Aussies are scheduled to play nine matches overseas, including series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Their home schedule features India, Pakistan, and the West Indies, bringing their total to 10 Tests.
England, on the other hand, will be in action for 10 home and 11 away Tests. The West Indies and Sri Lanka are set to tour England, while India, Pakistan, and New Zealand will host the English side.
India’s upcoming tour of the West Indies also forms part of the third WTC edition. Following this, the subcontinent giants will host New Zealand, England, and Bangladesh for various series. Tours of Australia and South Africa are also in the cards for India.
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ICC announces the full schedule for each and every team for the new and upcoming WTC 2023-25 cycle
South Africa seems to have lucked out with their schedule, hosting Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India. Their away fixtures will see them travelling to New Zealand, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
The nine-team WTC structure remains consistent with the previous cycle, involving three home and three away series for each team over two years. The culmination will be a one-off Test to decide the champion. The points system from the last edition will continue, with 12 points for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw, with the leaderboard determined by points percentage.
As we move into this exciting new cycle, fans worldwide will be eagerly anticipating the thrilling contests and remarkable performances the third edition of the WTC promises to offer. It’s an exciting period for Test cricket, showcasing the longevity and enduring charm of the game’s most traditional format.
