With just three months left before the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering introducing a bonus point system to reward teams for winning by large margins and securing victories in away conditions.
Currently, the WTC points system awards 12 points for a win, six points for a tie, and four points for a draw. However, the points remain the same regardless of whether a team clinches victory by one run or secures an innings win.
This points system may undergo significant changes when the next WTC cycle kicks off in June, starting with India’s five-Test series against England. A source familiar with the developments told PTI, “In fact, issues such as giving bonus points for innings wins etc., have been in continuous discussion from the beginning of the WTC, as many teams felt that due weight is not given for wins against big teams.”
The ICC is likely to discuss the proposed changes in its April meeting, and if approved, the new system could award bonus points for emphatic wins and additional points for beating top-ranked teams like India, Australia, and England. “Yeah, it’s a good move if it really happens. The teams will be more motivated to go for results, as we could see some exciting games,” a former India player told PTI.
Extra Points for Away Victories Also Under Consideration By ICC
Another key change under consideration is awarding extra points for away wins, which has been welcomed by many cricket experts. “Yeah, it will be a motivating factor for, you know, those ‘smaller’ teams. Look, when New Zealand beat India last year, it was a historic win for them as not many teams came here and beat us. But they did not get any extra points for it,” the source noted.
“While winning away from home in itself can act as a motivating factor, now the teams will have that carrot in front of them — extra points, if it really happens,” he added.
Two-Tier Test System May Also Be Discussed
The ICC board may also deliberate on introducing a two-tier Test system to create a more competitive structure. However, this proposal requires careful consideration, as it may limit opportunities for lower-ranked teams to face stronger sides.
“It needs a lot of discussion before putting into practice as some teams might feel deprived of regular chances to play against strong teams like India or Australia. As it is, series between India and New Zealand or Australia and West Indies are less in numbers compared to series between top teams in a WTC cycle. So, they should think about it a lot before implementing,” the former player added.
If these proposed changes are approved, they aim to promote competitive cricket, reward dominant performances, and create a fairer system for all participating teams in the WTC.
