Is the WTC Cycle a True Indicator of the Best Test Teams?

The World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced to bring context and meaning to bilateral Test series. While it has added excitement to the format, there’s still debate about whether the WTC cycle truly identifies the best two teams for the final.

Each team plays six series per cycle, three home and three away, and is ranked based on percentage of points won, rather than total points. This approach is more balanced, considering some teams play fewer Tests than others. However, the strength of opposition and home/away advantage still significantly impact the final standings.

WTC 2019–2021: A Mixed Bag of Schedules

New Zealand’s WTC 2019–21 Schedule:

• Home: India (Won 2-0), West Indies (Won 2-0), Pakistan (Won 2-0)
• Away: Sri Lanka (Drawn 1-1), Australia (Lost 0-3), England (Played 2 Tests, drawn 1-1 – not part of WTC)

👉 Total Away Matches (WTC): 5
👉 Away Wins: 1 (vs Sri Lanka)
👉 Away Win %: 20%

India’s WTC 2019–21 Schedule:

• Home: South Africa (Won 3-0), Bangladesh (Won 2-0), England (Won 3-1)
• Away: West Indies (Won 2-0), New Zealand (Lost 0-2), Australia (Won 2-1)

👉 Total Away Matches: 7
👉 Away Wins: 4
👉 Away Win %: 57.14%

New Zealand had a relatively easier route. They did not tour India, Australia, England, or South Africa, traditionally the toughest venues. Their only away win came in Sri Lanka. While they were excellent at home, they didn’t face the same rigorous away challenges that other top teams did.

India played almost twice the number of away matches, including two high-pressure tours. Winning in Australia is widely considered one of the hardest tasks in world cricket, India managed that with an injury-ridden squad, making their run to the final all the more commendable.

While New Zealand deserves full credit for winning the final against India, it’s worth noting that their path to the summit clash in the 2019–21 WTC cycle was comparatively less demanding in terms of away challenges

WTC 2023–2025: A Tale of Contrasting Journeys

Fast forward to the latest WTC cycle, where South Africa beat Australia in the 2023–25 final. This time, too, the difference in away tours once again played a role in shaping the final contenders.

South Africa’s WTC 2021–23 Schedule:

• Home: India (Drawn 1-1), Sri Lanka (Won 2-0), Pakistan (Won 2-0)
• Away: New Zealand (Lost 0-2), West Indies (Won 1-0), Bangladesh (Won 2-0)

👉 Total Away Matches: 6
👉 Away Wins: 3 (vs Bangladesh and West Indies)
👉 Away Win %: 50%

Australia’s WTC 2021–23 Schedule:

• Home: England (Won 4-0), West Indies (Won 2-0), South Africa (Won 2-0)
• Away: Pakistan (Won 1-0), Sri Lanka (Drawn 1-1), India (Lost 1-2)

👉 Total Away Matches: 7
👉 Away Wins: 3
👉 Away Win %: 42.86%

South Africa fully deserved their win in the WTC 2023 25 Final, but their path to the final was a bit easier than Australia’s, especially when it comes to tough away tours.

South Africa didn’t tour England, India, or Australia, the three most challenging destinations in Test cricket. Their away wins came in Bangladesh and West Indies, series that are easier compared to what other contenders had to go through.

Australia’s away tour to India was arguably the toughest of all, where they lost 2-1. They also toured Sri Lanka and Pakistan, both spin-heavy conditions, far from their comfort zone. Yet, they managed to reach the final with a respectable away record.

This again raises the question, are all WTC finalists judged by the same yardstick?

What Do These Numbers Tell Us About World Test Championship?

While the points percentage system is fairer than the earlier raw points tally, the scheduling quirks still play a big role. Teams like New Zealand and South Africa had relatively lighter or more favorable away tours in their respective cycles, while India and Australia consistently faced tougher opposition away from home.

Yet, nothing can be taken away from the teams that won the final, they rose to the occasion when it mattered most. However, the path to the final remains unequal.

The Flawed System Still Has Value

Despite these criticisms, it’s important to acknowledge something crucial, the WTC has revived interest in Test cricket.

Before its introduction, many bilateral series felt like they lacked purpose. Dead rubbers were common. The WTC changed that.

Every match now has context. Every point matters. Even a draw or a slow over rate can affect standings and qualifications. As a result:

• Teams are more aggressive in pursuing results.
• Fans are more engaged, following points tables like never before.
• Players talk openly about aiming for the final, giving Tests a tournament feel.

Yes, the scheduling isn’t perfect. Yes, not every team plays the same opponents or number of matches. But this is still the best format we have, and it’s a major improvement over what came before.

The WTC is far from flawless, but it’s a much-needed step forward.

Final Thoughts: The Best on the Day vs the Best Over the Cycle

Cricket, like life, isn’t always fair. Sometimes the team that plays better on the day wins the final. Other times, the team that faced the tougher journey loses out.

What’s clear, though, is that the WTC has raised the stakes in Test cricket. While tweaks and improvements are needed, it has given fans and players a reason to care, not just about the final, but about every series leading up to it.

In the long run, that might matter even more than who lifts the trophy.