
The WTC Points Table (World Test Championship) is the central scoreboard that tracks the performance of the nine Test-playing nations over a two-year period. It ranks teams based on their results in home and away Test series, ultimately deciding who will reach the final.
What is the WTC Points Table?
The WTC Points Table is a ranking system introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make Test cricket more competitive and structured. Each team earns points based on match outcomes, and the rankings are calculated using a metric called PCT (Percentage of Points Earned).
Unlike regular points tables that just add up total points, the WTC focuses on PCT to ensure fairness, especially since each team plays a different number of matches and series.
π Current WTC Points Table (As of August 5, 2025)
Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | PCT (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100% |
2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 66.67% |
3 | India | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 46.67% |
4 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 43.33% |
5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16.67% |
6 | West Indies | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
7 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
8 | Pakistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
9 | South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
π Note: New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa are yet to play their first match in the ongoing cycle.
How Does the WTC Points Table Work?
The WTC Points Table is structured around a points system, not just wins. Here’s how points are awarded:
- β Win = 12 points
- π€ Draw = 4 points
- π Tie = 6 points
- β Loss = 0 points
But again, rankings are not based on total pointsβthey are based on the Percentage of Points (PCT), which is:
PCT = (Points Earned Γ· Points Available) Γ 100
π Example:
If a team plays 5 matches and wins 2, draws 1, and loses 2:
- Points Earned = (2Γ12) + (1Γ4) = 28
- Points Available = 5Γ12 = 60
- PCT = (28 / 60) Γ 100 = 46.67%
That PCT (not raw points) decides the position on the WTC Points Table.
Point Deductions: Slow Over-Rate Penalty
Teams are penalized for a slow over rate. For every over short, 1 WTC point is deducted. For example, England was recently penalized 2 points, which directly affected their ranking and dropped them below India on the WTC Points Table.
π Road to the Final β What the WTC Points Table Determines
At the end of the two-year league phase, the top two teams in the WTC Points Table will qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final. The final for the 2025β2027 cycle is scheduled for June 2027 at Lordβs, London.
Upcoming Key Series That Can Impact the WTC Points Table
With India vs England done, many key series are about to begin and can cause major changes in the WTC Points Table:
β October 2025 β Pakistan vs South Africa
- First WTC matches for both teams in this cycle.
β November 2025 β The Ashes (Australia vs England)
- A 5-match series. Huge potential impact on the top of the table.
β November 2025 β West Indies vs New Zealand
- Both teams will be looking for their first win of the cycle.
Previous WTC Winners
Letβs take a quick look at past WTC Champions:
- 2019β2021: π New Zealand defeated India in the final.
- 2021β2023: π Australia beat India at The Oval.
- 2023β2025: π South Africa claimed their first title over Australia.
π WTC Format Overview
- πΉ Teams: 9 (Australia, India, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh)
- πΉ Not Participating: Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe
- πΉ Series: Each team plays 6 series (3 home + 3 away)
- πΉ Total Matches: 71 Tests across 27 series
βοΈ Tie-Breaker Rules for WTC Points Table
If teams are tied in PCT, the following rules apply:
- Most number of series wins
- Higher PCT in away matches
- ICC Test Rankings at the end of the league phase
π Final Thoughts
The WTC Points Table is more than just a scoreboardβit is a dynamic, evolving reflection of Test cricketβs most elite competition. With Australia currently sitting comfortably at the top and heavyweights like India and England battling closely, the race to the WTC Final is heating up.
Keep watching the series, and keep checking the WTC Points Table, because every Test, every over, and even every session can make a huge difference in the standings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) β WTC Points Table 2025-2027
πΉ Q1. What is the WTC Points Table?
Answer:
The WTC Points Table is a ranking system used by the ICC to determine team standings in the World Test Championship. It ranks teams based on their performances in Test matches across a two-year cycle using a percentage-based point system (PCT).
πΉ Q2. How is the WTC Points Table calculated?
Answer:
The WTC Points Table is based on the Percentage of Points (PCT), calculated by dividing the points a team has earned by the total number of points available to them.
Formula:PCT = (Points Earned / Points Available) Γ 100
πΉ Q3. What are the current standings in the WTC Points Table 2025-2027?
Answer:
As of August 5, 2025, Australia leads the WTC Points Table with 100% PCT, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and England. New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa are yet to play.
πΉ Q4. How many points are awarded for each match in the WTC?
Answer:
In the WTC Points Table system:
- Win = 12 points
- Tie = 6 points
- Draw = 4 points
- Loss = 0 points
πΉ Q5. Why is the percentage (PCT) used instead of total points?
Answer:
PCT is used in the WTC Points Table to fairly rank teams that may play a different number of matches or series. It ensures balanced comparisons across all participants.
πΉ Q6. What happens in case of a tie in the WTC Points Table?
Answer:
If two or more teams have the same PCT in the WTC Points Table, tie-breakers include:
- Most series wins
- Higher away series PCT
- ICC Test rankings at the end of the league stage
πΉ Q7. Can teams lose points in the WTC?
Answer:
Yes, teams can have points deducted for slow over-rates. One point is lost for every over a team falls short during a Test match.
πΉ Q8. How many teams participate in the WTC 2025-2027 cycle?
Answer:
A total of nine teams participate in the WTC 2025-2027 cycle:
Australia, India, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
πΉ Q9. Why are Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe not in the WTC?
Answer:
Although they are Test-playing nations, Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe were not included in this WTC cycle due to scheduling and developmental considerations.
πΉ Q10. How many matches does each team play in the WTC?
Answer:
Each team plays six series (three at home and three away), with a total of 27 series and 71 matches scheduled in the 2025-2027 WTC cycle.
πΉ Q11. When and where is the WTC 2027 Final?
Answer:
The WTC 2027 Final will be played in June 2027 at Lordβs Cricket Ground in London, England.
πΉ Q12. Who won the last three WTC titles?
Answer:
- 2019β2021: New Zealand
- 2021β2023: Australia
- 2023β2025: South Africa
πΉ Q13. What is the significance of the WTC Points Table?
Answer:
The WTC Points Table determines which two teams qualify for the final match. It adds context, competitiveness, and global relevance to bilateral Test series.
πΉ Q14. How often is the WTC Points Table updated?
Answer:
The WTC Points Table is updated after the completion of each Test match, reflecting changes in points, PCT, and standings in real time.
πΉ Q15. Where can I check the official WTC Points Table?
Answer:
You can check the official WTC Points Table on the ICC’s official website or major sports platforms like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and official team pages.
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