The ICC Test Championship is 2023-2025 is an ongoing tournament that brings the top test teams against each other. The championship started with the face-off between the Ashes countries England and Australia.
Until September 2024, 30 matches have been played and the top two teams will compete in the final in 2025.
Let’s find out information on the teams playing, their test rankings, the points they earned till September, and which teams are missing from the ICC Test Championship 2025.
ICC Team Championship 2025: Overview
The ICC Test Championship features nine teams competing for the top spot. Here are each team’s ranking, matches played, points, and top three players.
| Team | Matches Played | Points Earned | % of Points Won | Top 3 Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (IND) | 9 | 74 | 69% | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah |
| Australia (AUS) | 12 | 90 | 63% | Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne |
| New Zealand (NZ) | 6 | 36 | 50.00% | Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Tim Southee |
| Bangladesh (BAN) | 6 | 33 | 46% | Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan |
| Sri Lanka (SL) | 7 | 36 | 42.86% | Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva |
| England (ENG) | 16 | 81 | 42.19% | Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Anderson |
| South Africa (SA) | 6 | 28 | 38.89% | Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje |
| Pakistan (PAK) | 7 | 16 | 19.05% | Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan |
| West Indies (WI) | 9 | 20 | 18.52% | Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph |
Note: The table is based on the matches played till September 2024; the points, matches, and % of points will change based on future performances and matches.
Current ICC Test Championship Series
At present, two exciting Test series are ongoing; take a look:
1. India vs. Bangladesh
Location: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Series: 1st Test of the Bangladesh in India, 2 Test Series, 2024
2. Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand
Location: Galle International Stadium, Galle
Series: 1st Test of the New Zealand in Sri Lanka, 2 Test Series, 2024
How Does ICC Test Championship Point Structure Work?
Understanding the point structure is crucial, as it forms the basis for team rankings and final results. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded:
ICC Test Championship point system per match:
| Point Contested/Match | Match Result | Points Earned | % of Points Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Win | 12 | 100% |
| 12 | Tie | 6 | 50% |
| 12 | Draw | 4 | 33.33% |
| 12 | Loss | 0 | 0% |
1. Win: If a team wins a match, they earn 12 points. Since the total points contested in that match are also 12, the % of points won is 100%.
2. Tie: If a match ends in a tie, both teams earn 6 points each. The total points contested remain 12, so the % of points won is 50%.
3. Draw: If a match ends in a draw, both teams earn 4 points each. With 12 points contested, the % of points won is 33.33%.
4. Loss: If a team loses a match, they earn 0 points. The total points contested are still 12, so the % of points won is 0%.
Points Available Per Series
| Number Of Matches in Series | Total Points Available |
|---|---|
| 2 | 24 |
| 3 | 36 |
| 4 | 48 |
| 5 | 60 |
1. 2-match series: 24 points available (12 points per match x 2 matches)
2. 3-match series: 36 points available (12 points per match x 3 matches)
3. 4-match series: 48 points available (12 points per match x 4 matches)
4. 5-match series: 60 points available (12 points per match x 5 matches)
Criteria For Team Selection In The ICC World Test Championship 2025
To qualify for participation in the ICC World Test Championship, teams must meet these criteria to take part:
1. Full Member Status
Full member status in the ICC is a designation granted to countries that have shown a commitment to taking cricket to the next level. Only full members can participate in the ICC, ensuring the quality of the matches and competition remains high.
2. Test Cricket Status
Teams must possess official test cricket status to compete in the ICC Test Championship. This status is awarded to nations that have proven their ability to play at the game’s highest level, including meeting specific performance criteria set by the ICC.
3. Performance (In Test Cricket)
Teams are evaluated based on their recent performances and rankings in Test cricket. This assessment considers various factors, including match results, player statistics, and overall team consistency. A team’s performance directly influences its standing in the ICC Test Championship, as higher-ranked teams typically qualify for tournaments.
Teams Who Are Participating In ICC Test Championship 2025
Nine teams are taking part in the 2023-2025 ICC Test Championship. These are qualified teams and full members of the ICC tournaments. Let’s take a closer look at each team:
1. Australia
| Captain | Pat Cummins |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 2nd |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 1st with 66.67 % |
Australia qualifies for the ICC Test Championship due to its consistent performance and high ICC Test ranking. It is known for its balanced team with strong batting and bowling units. Recent achievements include winning the 2021-2023 WTC cycle.
2. Bangladesh
| Captain | Sakib Al Hasan |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 4th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 9th with 11.11 % |
Bangladesh qualifies for the ICC Test Championship 2025 as a full member of the ICC. They have shown steady improvement in Test cricket, with notable victories against higher-ranked teams. Their strengths lie in emerging talents and a strong spin attack.
3. England
| Captain | Ben Stokes |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 6th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 4th 46.97 % |
England qualifies for the 2025 ICC Test Championship due to its strong Test cricket history and consistent performance. It is known for its deep batting lineup and experienced fast bowlers. Recent achievements include competitive performances in the Ashes series.
4. India
| Captain | Rohit Sharma |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 1st |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 2nd with 58.80 % |
India has also qualified for the upcoming ICC Test Championship based on their top ICC test performances. They have a strong batting lineup, world-class spinners, and a formidable pace attack. Recent achievements include being runners-up in the previous WTC cycle.
5. New Zealand
| Captain | Kane Williamson |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 3rd |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 6th with 38.46 % |
Former champions, New Zealand are known for their resilient batting and effective seam bowlers. Recent achievements include winning the inaugural WTC cycle (2019-2021). They won that match by 8 wicktes at the Rose Bowl; demonstrating their prowess and their skills. They also secured a series win in England in June 2021.
6. Pakistan
| Captain | Babar Azam |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 8th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 7th with 38.10 % |
Pakistan qualifies for the ICC Test Championship as a full member of the ICC. They have talented young players and strong fast bowlers. They achieved a series victory against South Africa in January-February 2021 and won 2-0 at home. Babar Azam the team captain led the way scoring 196 in draw against Australia in March 2022, in Karchi.
7. South Africa
| Captain | Temba Bavuma |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 7th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 3rd with 55.56 % |
South Africa has maintained their status as a strong Test cricket nation. They won a series against India in December 2021-January 2022. And Dean Elgar led from the front with an unbeaten 96 in a chase of 240 at Johannesburg in January 2022.
8. Sri Lanka
| Captain | Dimuth Karunaratne |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 5th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 5th with 44.44 % |
Sri Lanka has shown its skills with impressive performances against higher-ranked teams. In February 2019, they won a historic series in South Africa, becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series there. Dimuth Karunaratne scored 244 against Bangladesh in April 2021, leading Sri Lanka to victory with 209 runs.
9. West Indies
| Captain | Kraigg Brathwaite |
| Team ICC WTC Test Ranking 2025 (till September) | 9th |
| Previous year’s ranking in the ICC WTC test series | 8th with 34.62 % |
The West Indies, once a dominant force in Test cricket, have shown flashes of their former glory in recent years. Their most notable recent achievement was a 2-0 series victory against Bangladesh in 2022, where Kemar Roach’s bowling prowess shone through with crucial wickets.
Full Members Of ICC Are Not Taking Part In ICC Test Championship 2025
While many strong teams compete in this championship, some of the full members are not participating in the ICC test championships. These are:
1. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is not participating in the ICC Test Championship due to their relatively recent entry into Test cricket and a limited number of Test matches played since gaining Test status in 2017.
2. Ireland
Ireland is not part of the ICC Test Championship as they have prioritized white-ball cricket due to financial constraints and the high costs associated with hosting Test matches.
3. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is excluded from the ICC Test Championship due to ongoing financial issues and limited opportunities to play against higher-ranked teams, impacting their ability to participate regularly in Test cricket.
Scheduled ICC Test Championship Matches Till 24 January 2025
Here is the list of upcoming matches in the ICC Test Championship 2025, announced by the ICC.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26-30, 2024 | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd Test | Galle International Stadium, Galle | 10:00 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 1, 2024 | Bangladesh tour of India, 2nd Test | Green Park, Kanpur | 9:30 |
| Oct 7-11, 2024 | England tour of Pakistan, 1st Test | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan | 11:00 |
| Oct 15-19, 2024 | England tour of Pakistan, 2nd Test | National Stadium, Karachi | 11:00 |
| Oct 16-20, 2024 | New Zealand tour of India, 1st Test | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 9:30 |
| Oct 24-28, 2024 | New Zealand tour of India, 2nd Test | Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune | 9:30 |
| Oct 24-28, 2024 | England tour of Pakistan, 3rd Test | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 11:00 |
| Nov 1-5, 2024 | New Zealand tour of India, 3rd Test | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 9:30 |
| Nov 22-26, 2024 | India tour of Australia, 1st Test | Perth Stadium, Perth | 7:50 |
| Nov 22-26, 2024 | Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 1st Test | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua | 19:30 |
| Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2024 | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 1st Test | Kingsmead, Durban | 13:00 |
| Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2024 | England tour of New Zealand, 1st Test | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:30 |
| Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2024 | Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 2nd Test | Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica | 20:30 |
| Dec 5-9, 2024 | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2nd Test | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 14:00 |
| Dec 6-10, 2024 | England tour of New Zealand, 2nd Test | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:30 |
| Dec 6-10, 2024 | India tour of Australia, 2nd Test | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 9:30 |
| Dec 14-18, 2024 | England tour of New Zealand, 3rd Test | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3:30 |
| Dec 14-18, 2024 | India tour of Australia, 3rd Test | The Gabba, Brisbane | 5:50 |
| Dec 26-30, 2024 | India tour of Australia, 4th Test | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne | 5:00 |
| Dec 26-30, 2024 | Pakistan tour of South Africa, 1st Test | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 13:30 |
| Jan 3-7, 2025 | India tour of Australia, 5th Test | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney | 5:00 |
| Jan 3-7, 2025 | Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2nd Test | Newlands, Cape Town | 14:00 |
| Jan 16-20, 2025 | West Indies tour of Pakistan, 1st Test | National Stadium, Karachi | 11:00 |
| Jan 24-28, 2025 | West Indies tour of Pakistan, 2nd Test | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan | 11:00 |
These upcoming matches will be very important for each team’s pursuit of points and positioning within the championship standings.
Conclusion: 9 Teams Are Playing In The ICC World Test Championship!
Nine teams are participating in the ICC World Test Championship 2025. These teams are full members of the ICC, and based on the reputation of the team and past performances in the ICC matches, they are eligible for the ICC trophy.
Till September, India ranked in 1st position with 68.52 percent. As the championship progresses, we will see unexpected changes in points and %s. The top two teams will play in the final.
Are you excited to know who will be the winner? Keep watching, and keep your fingers crossed!
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