How Are World Test Championship Points Calculated?

Test cricket has long been considered the purest form of the game, but for much of its history, individual series were played in isolation. Beyond traditional rivalries like the Ashes, there was little to link contests together. This lack of context often left fans wondering: who is truly the best Test team in the world?

To answer this, the International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019. A global league structure was designed to bring coherence to the Test calendar, with a single points system determining who qualifies for the grand final.

The World Test Championship points calculation is therefore central to how the tournament works. It decides rankings, influences strategies, and keeps series meaningful even when a trophy has already been won. Analysts at outlets such as Wisden and ESPNcricinfo have highlighted that while the system has flaws, it has successfully injected purpose into every Test match.

This article explains the WTC points system in detail: the principles, match outcomes, percentage rankings, worked examples, and controversies. By the end, you’ll know exactly how WTC points work and why this scoring method matters so much to modern Test cricket.

Basic Principles: Series Points, Match Points & Parity

At the heart of the WTC is the idea that every Test series, regardless of length or opponent, should carry equal weight. To achieve this, the ICC fixed the value of each series at 120 points.

These 120 points are then divided across the matches within that series. So, in a two-Test series, each game carries 60 points, while in a five-Test series, each carries 24 points. This ensures that the overall importance of a short series is not diminished compared to a marquee five-match contest.

To determine the standings, the ICC uses the percentage of points won out of those contested. This percentage figure allows fair comparison between teams that play different numbers of matches or series.

Think of it like football: if every league match was worth three points, but some teams played 30 matches while others played 20, the table would look skewed. The solution in the WTC is to measure performance as a percentage of available points, giving all teams a level playing field.

This simple yet fundamental principle underpins the whole ICC Test Championship points system.

Match Outcome Points

The WTC points system rewards teams based on match outcomes, with different values for wins, draws, and ties. Importantly, losses earn nothing, but avoiding defeat still has value in Test cricket.

Breakdown per outcome:

• Win: Full allocation of points for that match.

• Tie: Half the points for that match

• Draw: One-third of the points for that match.

• Loss: Zero points

For example, in a three-Test series (40 points per match):

• A win earns 40 points.

• A draw earns 13 points.

• A tie earns 20 points.

Why reward draws and ties? Because in Test cricket, salvaging a draw from a losing position is often seen as an achievement. It ensures that teams fight until the end, knowing partial points are still available.

Special cases are also covered:

• Abandoned matches with no play do not penalise either team.

• Weather no-results award no points, but reduce the pool of available points, protecting percentages.

This nuanced structure recognises the unique rhythms of Test cricket while maintaining competitive balance.

Series Weighting & Match Breakdown

One of the most distinctive features of the WTC scoring method is the equal weighting of all series. Whether it is the Ashes or Bangladesh hosting Zimbabwe, each is worth 120 points in total.

This approach ensures fairness across nations, but it also introduces quirks. The points per match vary depending on series length:

👉 Table: Series Length vs Points Per Match

For example:

• In the India–Australia 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (four Tests), each match carried 30 points. India’s 2–1 series win earned them 60 points out of 120.

• In contrast, when New Zealand hosted Pakistan for a two-Test series in 2020, each match was worth 60 points. New Zealand’s 2–0 sweep earned them a perfect 120 points.

This illustrates how series length affects match-by-match stakes, yet the total remains consistent. It also shows why percentage-based ranking is necessary, since a clean sweep in a short series may yield as much as a hard-fought victory in a longer contest.

Percentage of Points Earned

Because different teams play different numbers of Tests, standings are calculated by percentage rather than raw totals.

The formula is simple:
(Points Won ÷ Points Available) × 100

So if a team plays a three-Test series (120 available points) and wins two while drawing one, they earn 93 points. Their percentage is:
93 ÷ 120 × 100 = 77.5%.

This percentage then feeds into the league table.

The system came into sharp focus during the COVID-19 disrupted 2019–21 cycle, when several series were cancelled. The ICC decided standings would be based entirely on percentage of points earned, allowing teams with incomplete schedules to remain competitive.

A more recent example: during the 2021–23 cycle, Australia topped the standings with 66.67%, having won 11 of their 19 matches. That percentage ensured their place in the final, despite India winning more individual matches overall.

In this way, the percentage method ensures fairness across uneven schedules — though not without controversy.

Handling Cancellations & Disruptions

Test cricket is uniquely vulnerable to disruption, whether through rain, political tension, or pandemics. The WTC points calculation includes provisions for such events.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous series were postponed or cancelled outright, including the much-anticipated South Africa–Australia tour in 2021. Instead of penalising teams for matches beyond their control, the ICC adjusted standings to reflect only the percentage of points contested.

Similarly, weather washouts are handled carefully. If a Test is abandoned without a ball bowled, it is not counted against either team, and the total available points for that series are reduced accordingly. This prevents teams from being disadvantaged by external factors.

That said, these adjustments sometimes fuel debate. Critics argue that percentage rankings allow teams with fewer matches to rise unfairly. Supporters counter that it is the only practical way to manage disruptions in a global sport played across diverse climates and circumstances.

Worked Examples

To understand how WTC points work, let’s break down a hypothetical three-Test series.

Suppose Team A and Team B play three matches (40 points each). Results:

• Match 1: Team A wins → 40 points

• Match 2: Draw → 13 points each

• Match 3: Team B wins → 40 points

Points tally:

• Team A: 40 + 13 + 0 = 53 points

• Team B: 0 + 13 + 40 = 53 points

Percentage calculation:

• Available points: 120

• Both teams: 53 ÷ 120 × 100 = 44.2%

This shows how percentages balance outcomes across series. Even with a win apiece and a draw, both teams end equal on points and percentage.

 Sample Calculation Table

Now imagine Team A had won two matches outright. They would finish with 93/120 = 77.5%, clearly ahead in the standings.

This kind of clarity is why the percentage system is essential, even if it sometimes confuses fans unfamiliar with the maths.

Criticisms & Calls for Change

Despite its logic, the WTC points system has faced criticism from players, pundits, and fans.

One major debate concerns the equal weighting of series. Critics argue that a five-Test Ashes series should not be valued the same as a short two-Test contest. Former players such as Michael Vaughan have suggested introducing bonus points or weighting marquee series more heavily.

Another issue is the percentage method. While it ensures fairness across unequal schedules, it is not intuitive. Fans often struggle to track standings without expert explanation. ESPNcricinfo has repeatedly published “explainer” articles mid-cycle, reflecting this confusion.

There are also calls for innovation. Some commentators propose:

• Bonus points for innings victories or away wins.

• Extra weighting for longer series.

• Clearer visuals to help casual fans follow the race.

Supporters, however, argue that simplicity is the system’s strength. Every series is equal, every Test matters, and percentages prevent manipulation through scheduling.

FAQs

What if two teams finish with the same percentage?
The tie-breakers are series wins, followed by runs-per-wicket ratio.

Do forfeited matches count?
Yes. If a team concedes a match, the opposition is awarded the full points.

Why not use total wins instead of percentage?
Because teams play unequal numbers of matches, total wins would unfairly favour those with busier schedules.

How are abandoned matches treated?
If no play occurs, those points are removed from the available pool.

Can teams earn negative points?
Yes. Over-rate penalties deduct points from totals, directly reducing percentages.

Conclusion

The World Test Championship points calculation may not be flawless, but it has given the longest format of the game a much-needed competitive structure. By allocating points equally across series and ranking teams by percentage earned, it ensures fairness despite uneven schedules and unavoidable disruptions.

The system has its critics, especially around equal weighting and the complexity of percentages, but it also provides clarity: every Test matters, and every point could decide a place in the final.

As the WTC evolves, refinements may come — from bonus points to clearer standings — but the principle remains powerful. For the first time, Test cricket has a global league with a clear scoring method.

What changes would you like to see in the next WTC cycle?