Your guide to the World Test Championship

THE ICC’s latest initiative is a Test league between the nine top-ranked nations, contested over two-year cycles, beginning with this Ashes series. The two teams with the most points at the end of the cycle will contest the final, probably at Lord’s. WHY DO WE NEED IT? The idea is to give additional context to the five-day format. Teams will have something to play for beyond series results, because all Tests will affect the standings. HOW DOES IT WORK? Every team will take part in three series home and away — all teams do not play each other — with each comprising two to five Tests. A maximum of 120 points are up for grabs to each team in a series, with the points allocated for a win or draw depending on the number of matches in the series. For example, in a two-match series, a Test victory earns 60 points and a draw 20. In a five-match series, it’s 24 points for a win, eight for a draw. HANG ON, WHAT IF THE FINAL ENDS IN A DRAW? The team who topped the table heading into the final will be crowned champions. ANYTHING ELSE? Confusingly, not all series count towards the standings, including England’s tour of New Zealand this November.