In the end, South Africa ripped the World Test Championship mace from Australia’s callused grip and wrote a new chapter in cricket’s long-form history. After four days of riveting Test action at Lord’s, the Proteas wore a new label – champion – while Australia will have to rethink its place in the pecking order of the game’s top nations.
The tournament, which has a two-year qualifying cycle, was designed to add context and excitement to the longest format while identifying the world’s best team. Countries are ranked according to the ICC’s official rankings, with the top nine earning automatic qualification for the final. Teams then play each other home and away in series that last at least three Test matches. Points are awarded based on the outcome of each match, with a win netting 12 points, a draw earning both sides six points and a loss resulting in no points at all. Points can also be deducted for slow over rates.
The first two cycles of the WTC featured England and India, with the former winning both, including in the inaugural final that took place in 2021. But this latest final – which features current holders Australia against South Africa at the home of cricket – marks the start of a fresh phase in the tournament’s lifecycle and the first time that hosts will be named in advance of the showpiece event. It is a move that should be applauded by those who believe that the WTC is an important development for the future of the sport, particularly with regard to adding value to the final weekend of the season.