The 162nd edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, published in April 2025, has delivered a scathing critique of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC), branding it a “shambles masquerading as a showpiece.” Editor Lawrence Booth’s sharp commentary not only targets the WTC’s flawed structure but also raises broader concerns about the ICC’s governance, particularly in light of India’s growing influence under new ICC chairman Jay Shah. This SEO-optimized, plagiarism-free article explores Wisden’s criticisms, proposed reforms, and the implications for Test cricket’s future.
A Flawed Championship: Why the WTC Falls Short
The WTC, launched in 2019 to add context to bilateral Test series, has been criticized for its inconsistent and confusing format. Booth highlights the current 2023–25 cycle, culminating in a final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s from June 11–15, 2025, as a prime example of its shortcomings. South Africa qualified for the final without facing either Australia or England, raising questions about the competition’s fairness and competitiveness.
Booth argues that the two-year cycle, involving nine Test-playing nations, is too short and lacks uniformity. Teams play a varying number of matches against different opponents, making rankings complex and difficult for fans to follow. “It requires a calculator to rank them, offending the first rule of thumb for any sporting endeavour: it must be easy to follow,” Booth writes. This asymmetry undermines the WTC’s credibility as Test cricket’s premier championship.
Wisden’s Proposed Reforms: A Four-Year, All-Play-All Format
To address these issues, Booth proposes a radical overhaul of the WTC, advocating for a four-year cycle modeled on global sports like football and rugby. His vision includes:
- Full Round-Robin Format: The top nine Test teams—Australia, India, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, and Bangladesh—should play each other home and away over the cycle.
- Minimum Three-Match Series: Ensuring series have at least three Tests to preserve the format’s depth and allow for competitive battles, unlike the current prevalence of two-match series for smaller nations.
- Extended Cycle Length: Doubling the WTC’s duration to four years would provide a fairer and more comprehensive competition, allowing all teams to face each other and reducing scheduling disparities.
Booth emphasizes that such a structure would make the WTC more transparent and engaging for fans, while maintaining Test cricket’s prestige. He notes, “The ICC cannot allow the championship to continue as if designed on the back of a fag packet.”
South Africa’s Journey: A Case for Test Cricket’s Value
Wisden acknowledges South Africa’s remarkable journey to the 2025 WTC final as a potential silver lining. Despite a lighter schedule—featuring series wins against West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, a draw against India, and a loss in India—the Proteas capitalized on their opportunities to secure a spot at Lord’s. Booth suggests this achievement could convince Cricket South Africa to prioritize Test cricket, which has often been sidelined due to financial constraints and a focus on shorter formats.
However, the ease of South Africa’s path, avoiding powerhouses like Australia and England, underscores the WTC’s structural flaws. Booth clarifies, “This is not South Africa’s fault. It may even be to their benefit, if the path from laughing stocks to Lord’s persuades their board that Test cricket is worth saving.”
ICC Governance and India’s Dominance
Beyond the WTC, Wisden critiques the ICC’s governance, particularly the appointment of Jay Shah, former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as ICC chairman in December 2024. Booth describes Shah’s uncontested rise as a sign of cricket’s administrative decline, stating, “The communal shrug that met Shah’s appointment confirmed a sorry truth: 2024 was the year cricket gave up any claim to being properly administered, with checks, balances, and governance for the many, not the few.”
Shah’s appointment coincided with India’s refusal to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, leading to a last-minute relocation of their games to the Gulf. Booth argues this move, met with minimal resistance from England and Australia, highlights India’s monopolistic control over cricket. “India already had the monopoly: now they had hotels on Park Lane and Mayfair,” he writes, likening the BCCI’s influence to a Monopoly game board.
The BCCI’s dominance raises concerns about equitable governance, especially as smaller cricketing nations struggle for resources and exposure. Wisden’s critique aligns with ongoing debates about the “Big Three” (India, England, Australia) prioritizing financial gains over the global growth of Test cricket.
Recent ICC Discussions: No Changes Yet
The future of the WTC was discussed at a recent ICC board meeting in Zimbabwe, but no concrete changes were announced. Sources indicate the 2025–27 cycle will likely retain the current nine-team, two-year format, rejecting proposals for a two-tier system that would include emerging teams like Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.
Cricket Australia has pushed for a two-tier system to ensure more frequent matches between the Big Three, boosting revenue but risking further marginalization of smaller nations. However, the ICC has delayed this decision, with the two-tier proposal potentially resurfacing for the 2027–29 cycle. Additionally, the ICC’s Cricket Committee, led by Sourav Ganguly, is exploring a revised points system that could award extra points for away wins and account for opponent strength, similar to rugby union’s model.
Wisden’s Broader Impact: Honoring Cricketing Excellence
Despite its criticisms, Wisden continues to celebrate cricketing achievements. The 2025 edition named India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana as the leading men’s and women’s cricketers in the world, respectively. The publication also honored five cricketers of the year—Surrey’s Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, and Dan Worrall, alongside Liam Dawson and Sophie Ecclestone—for their performances during the 2024 English summer.
The Path Forward for Test Cricket
Wisden’s critique underscores the urgency of reforming the WTC to preserve Test cricket’s relevance in a T20-dominated era. A four-year, all-play-all format could address fairness concerns and enhance fan engagement, but logistical challenges remain, notably India and Pakistan’s refusal to play bilateral cricket due to geopolitical tensions. Additionally, ensuring financial support for smaller nations and balancing the Big Three’s marquee series with equitable scheduling will be critical.
As the ICC navigates these challenges under Jay Shah’s leadership, the WTC’s future hinges on bold decisions to prioritize competition integrity over commercial interests. Booth’s call to action is clear: “Invest in Test cricket everywhere, creating a more attractive proposition for broadcasters.” With the 2025–27 cycle set to begin with England hosting India in June 2025, the clock is ticking for the ICC to act.
Stay Updated on Cricket’s Future
For the latest on the WTC, ICC governance, and global cricket news, follow trusted sources like the ICC’s official website, Wisden, or ESPNcricinfo. Fans can also purchase tickets for the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s to witness South Africa take on defending champions Australia.
Last updated: April 23, 2025
Disclaimer: This article draws on reports from Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, BBC Sport, The Guardian, and other publicly available sources. Always verify cricketing updates through official ICC channels.