Match wins more important than series results in Test Championship
The ICC’s new Test Championship will see teams wanting to play for wins rather than draws after with the points system rewarding attacking cricket.
In an effort to reduce the number of draws in Test matches, the new championship points system will make winning much more attractive.
A maximum of 120 points will be up for grabs in each series of the World Test Championship (WTC), which is scheduled to start after the 2019 World Cup.
Teams will receive considerably less points for draw than for a win, a third to precise. A series tie will see each team get half the points reserved for victory.
The points system has been the subject of much discussion between members as they finalise details of the WTC, in particular over whether points should be awarded for series wins or match wins.
Not all sides play the same number of Tests in a two-year WTC cycle, nor an equal number of home and away Tests.
The plan is to offer a maximum of 720 points – 120 points for six series in a cycle, three at home, three away – for all nine sides.
This system was presented at the ICC’s annual conference in Dublin over the weekend where the chief executive committee went through the recommendations made by the ICC’s cricket committee.
The key element in creating an effective points system was pushing for wins, so that winning a two-Test series 2-0 will bring greater reward than winning it 1-0.
Also, there will be points at stake for every single Test match, whether the series is stilll up for grabs or not, which will reduce the idea of any ‘dead rubbers’.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.