Cricket
The ICC league that made Tests a points table. This page has 50 important questions and answers.
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) ranks Test nations over a cycle. Series earn points; a percentage system has been used so teams that play fewer Tests are not automatically buried. The top two play a final, often at a neutral venue such as Lord’s.
It is not the Ashes (though Ashes Tests can earn WTC points) and not the ODI World Cup.
50 important questions. Quick 10 is a random set; Full set plays every question.
Original explainers for English readers — not copied match reports or official papers. Tap a question to see the answer.
Answer: an ICC points competition for Test nations
A final decides the cycle champion.
Answer: teams with different numbers of Tests can be compared
Deduction for slow over-rates has happened.
Answer: a one-off Test between the top two
Drawn finals have used reserve-day / result rules in the playing conditions.
Answer: award WTC points when scheduled in a cycle
Two stories, one series sometimes.
Answer: more points than a draw or loss (see that cycle’s table)
The ICC publishes the matrix.
Answer: the 50-over World Cup
Fans still search “World Cup” by habit.
Answer: dock WTC points
That detail surprises casual fans.
Answer: the league table, not an auction purse
One 5–0 sweep swings percentage hard.
Answer: Test-playing nations over a cycle
A final decides the champion.
Answer: sides with different fixture loads can be compared
The ICC publishes the formula.
Answer: earn WTC points in a cycle
Two stories, one series.
Answer: more than a draw or loss on that cycle's table
The matrix is public.
Answer: dock WTC points
That fine surprises casual fans.
Answer: reserve-day or result rules in the conditions
Read that final's playing conditions.
Answer: count for WTC points
Friendlies and unofficial games do not.
Answer: not the same object as the WTC trophy
ICC branding has shifted.
Answer: beats a 1-0 in points, depending on the table
Series length changes the haul.
Answer: grounds such as Lord's in some cycles
The ICC names the host.
Answer: ICC sporting sanctions, not football bookings
Percentage can drop after a win.
Answer: the weekly ICC Test rating list
Rankings and WTC are different products.
Answer: has a listed points value on the cycle table
Rare, but the handbook covers it.
Answer: played a full WTC cycle
Third place is not a medal match.
Answer: T20 internationals
Format walls are firm.
Answer: played under Test playing conditions
Five days, two innings a side.
Answer: feed the same percentage table
The ICC lists which series are included.
Answer: become a draw and score draw points
No result still sits on the table.
Answer: the ICC
Full Members play the league.
Answer: aim at a Test win, which is worth more points
Draw-hunting can be a table tactic late in a cycle.
Answer: the top two on the cycle table
Percentage, not popularity polls.
Answer: still earns WTC points if it is an official Test
Day-night is a scheduling choice.
Answer: part of ICC Test conditions
Penalties can be points, not just fines.
Answer: bilateral series pride such as the Ashes
Fans can follow both.
Answer: loads percentage if those Tests are in the cycle
Weak opposition still has to be scheduled.
Answer: are a weather tool, not extra innings of T20
The ICC names them when used.
Answer: a different ICC product from the WTC table
Teams qualify, not individuals.
Answer: is still a Lawful tactic
Winning remains the aim.
Answer: a multi-year ICC window
The next cycle starts after the final.
Answer: split points as the table says
1-1 is not a whitewash.
Answer: decides who bats first in that Test
Five days still follow.
Answer: the same as a football yellow card
Do not mix the sports.
Answer: the WTC champion for that cycle
The table only picks the two sides.
Answer: has a listed points outcome in the regulations
Rare, but written down.
Answer: after series, not after social-media polls
The ICC site is the source.
Answer: a franchise auction league
Boards, not owners, send XIs.
Answer: ICC appointments
DRS is typically in use.
Answer: is still a draw unless the other side is bowled out twice
Time is the enemy.
Answer: the cycle prize for the final winner
Keep the names apart on a quiz.
Answer: a multi-year league of Test series
The final is the climax.
Answer: teams that play fewer Tests are not automatically buried
Raw points alone mislead.
Answer: usually awards some WTC points
Less than a win, more than a loss.
Pick the next article in this topic — that is how a magazine issue is meant to be used.
