World Test Championship News - Latest Updates & Headlines
ICC World Test Championship 2023-25: League stage recap, road to final
New Delhi, February 11: The league stage of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 concluded with Australia securing a historic series victory in the subcontinent, defeating Sri Lanka by nine wickets. With this triumph, Australia sealed their spot in the final, where they will face South Africa at Lord's in June. According to ICC, let's look at how each team fared in this cycle.
Australia finish second in WTC 2023-25 points table after series win against Sri Lanka in Tests
Dubai, February 9: Following a 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series away from home, Australia confirmed the second position in the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table on Sunday, as per the ICC.
Cannot see Sri Lanka getting close to Australia....: Tim Paine
Melbourne, February 4: Ahead of the second Test against Australia at Galle, former Australian captain Tim Paine said that he does not see Lankan Lions coming any close to the visitors on any surface.
Head predicts Konstas recall as an opener in WTC final, says 'most likely I'll go back to middle-order'
New Delhi, Feb 4: Australia batter Travis Head has indicated a return to the middle-order for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Lord's, with the expectation that youngster Sam Konstas will reclaim his opening spot alongside veteran Usman Khawaja for the crucial clash against South Africa.
Ian Healy joins growing calls for Konstas to return from Sri Lanka Tour
New Delhi, Feb 4: Australian cricket great Ian Healy has also weighed in, backing the calls for sending Sam Konstas back home from the Sri Lanka tour so that the youngster can play some important Sheffield Shield matches ahead of the World Test Championship later this year.
He has added a lot of maturity....: Haddin lauds Allan Border Medal favourite Travis Head
Melbourne, February 2: Australia's hard-hitting batter Travis Head is shaping up to be a favourite to win the Allan Border Medal for the Most Outstanding Male Australian Cricketer of the Year, with his domination extending to all formats.
Age is just a number: Smith throws weight behind Khawaja's Test future
Galle, February 2: Australia's stand-in skipper Steve Smith backed veteran opener Usman Khawaja to continue with the Test side as long as possible, saying that he is batting well and "age is just a number."
1st Test: Lyon and Kuhnemann spin Australia to innings & 242 runs victory over Sri Lanka
Galle, Feb 1: Spinners Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann shared the spoils as defending WTC champions Australia registered a massive win against Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs on Day Four of the first Test at the Galle Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The loss was the hosts' worst-ever defeat in Test cricket, with their previous biggest being when they were hammered by an innings and 239 runs by India in 2017.
Ex-Australian spinner says Smith was born a cricketer, reminisces getting first glimpse of his hand-eye coordination
Galle, January 29: Former Australian spinner Kerry O'Keeffe hailed star batter Steve Smith on completing his 10,000 Test runs, saying that he was "born a cricketer" and further recalled the days when the veteran started out as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder.
I find quite stunning....: Gilchrist hails Smith's journey from leg spinner to batter with 10,000 Test runs
Galle, January 29: Former Australian batter Adam Gilchrist hailed star batter Steve Smith on completing 10,000 Test runs, calling him a "master craftsman" and expressing admiration for his journey from a leg spinner to a top-class batter.
Tickets set to go on sale as Cummins, Bavuma appreciate fan support for ICC World Test Championship Final
London, January 29: Australia captain Pat Cummins and South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma have expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans after securing their spots in this year's ICC World Test Championship Final. With anticipation building, tickets for the highly awaited showdown are set to go on sale this week.
Tickets for WTC Final to go on sale from January 31
Dubai, Jan 29: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced that tickets for the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s are set to go on general sale from January 31.
Galle Test: Australia skipper Steve Smith wins toss; opts to bat first against Sri Lanka
Galle, January 29: Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat first in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya urges board to get more Tests for team, terms lack of fixtures a big disadvantage
Galle, January 28: Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva on Tuesday expressed dissapointment with his team's poor Test cricket schedule, saying that it is a "big disadvantage" for the team and called for most long format fixtures to be given to them.
Injured Pathum Nissanka unlikely to play first Test against Australia
Colombo, Jan 27: Injured Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play the first Test against Australia in Galle, starting on Wednesday.
Multan Test: West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite wins toss; opts to bat first against Pakistan
Multan, January 25: West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat first against hosts Pakistan in the second and final Test of the two-match series at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Sri Lanka include two uncapped players in 18-member squad for Australia Tests
Colombo, January 24: Sri Lanka announced a 18-member strong squad led by Dhananjaya de Silva for their home Test series against Australia, starting from January 29, which also includes two uncapped players.
Aaqib Javed defends spin-friendly pitches ahead of second Test against West Indies
Multan, January 24: Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has strongly defended the recent spin-friendly pitches prepared for Test matches in the country.
Great effort to get ahead of strong teams in world: Jonty Rhodes on South Africa reaching maiden WTC final
North 24 Parganas, January 24: Former South African Cricketer, Jonty Rhodes on Friday shared his thoughts as his national team reached the World Test Championship for the first time since the start of this tournament.
Australia boosted by positive Steve Smith update ahead of Sri Lanka series, Champions Trophy
Melbourne, January 20: In an encouraging update ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, Cricket Australia revealed that star batter Steve Smith's elbow injury is not as bad as it seemed and has been cleared to join the Test squad.
We would like to finish WTC cycle on a winning note: Shan Masood ahead of WI Tests
Multan, Jan 16: Ahead of the first Test against West Indies, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood said the team would like to finish their World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a winning team. Pakistan will face West Indies in the two-match Test series commencing at the Multan Cricket Stadium from January 17. The second Test will also be played at the same venue starting on January 25.
Sri Lanka adds extra ODI to Australia's upcoming tour schedule
Colombo, January 15: The Sri Lanka Cricket Board, in coordination with Cricket Australia, has announced the addition of an extra ODI to Australia's upcoming tour schedule, as per ICC.
Will back Proteas to go all the way in WTC final: AB de Villiers
Johannesburg, January 12: Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) crown against Australia at Lord's. However, he acknowledged that Australia remains the favorite, as the Proteas lack experience playing in conditions like those in England and Australia.
Needs to be more decisive with...: De Villiers' advice for South Africa's top run-getter in WTC 2023-25
Johannesburg, January 12: Former South African batting legend AB de Villiers had a special word of advice for Proteas' top-run-getter in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, David Bedingham, saying that he needs to be more decisive with his shots and try not coming too hard at the ball.
Incredible leader: Jonty Rhodes lavishes praise on Proteas captain Temba Bavuma
By Vivek Prabhakar Singh, New Delhi, January 11: Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes on Saturday heaped praise on Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma and called him an "incredible leader" after his side qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Final.
Australia 'very hopeful' of Green's return for World Test Championship final
New Delhi, Jan 9: Australia chief selector George Bailey said the panel is "very hopeful" about all-rounder Cameron Green being fit to play in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June, though that could happen as a pure batter.
Steve Smith named interim captain as Australia announce squad for Sri Lanka Test series
Canberra, January 9: Right-hand batter Steve Smith has been appointed as the interim skipper of the national side as team Australia announced a 16-player squad for their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which will begin on January 29.
It's been phenomenal last 18 months: Keshav Maharaj on SA's WTC final qualification
By Vipul Kashyap, Cape Town, January 8: South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj on Wednesday expressed happiness over the Proteas' World Test Championship Final qualification and said that it has been a phenomenal last 18 months for them.
We have won 7 Tests in row under tough conditions...: Graeme Smith on SA's WTC final qualification
Cape Town, January 8: Former South African captain Graeme Smith expressed happiness about the Proteas reaching the ICC World Test Championship final for the first time ever, noting that the team deserves it after winning seven Tests in a row under tough conditions.
ICC releases pitch ratings for Border-Gavaskar series
New Delhi, January 8: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday released the pitch ratings for each Test match of the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, with four of five pitches earning the top rating of "very good", reported ICC Cricket.
Pakistan tour 'a new opportunity' for Windies; Coley and co eye first series win since 1990
Islamabad, Jan 8: As the West Indies prepare for a two-match Test series against Pakistan, Test coach Andre Coley views it as an opportunity to finish his tenure on a high note. This series, commencing on January 17 in Karachi, serves as a chance for the Caribbean side to build momentum and address longstanding challenges in unfamiliar conditions.
Pakistan fined for slow over-rate against South Africa in Cape Town Test
Cape Town, January 7: After losing the two-match Test series 0-2 against South Africa, the Pakistan cricket team was penalised 25 per cent of their match fee owing to a slow-over rate in the last match of the series at the Newlands in Cape Town.
Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in second Test vs South Africa
Dubai, Jan 7: Pakistan have been fined 25 per cent of their match fee and penalised five ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town.
Cummins, Bumrah, Paterson nominated for Men's Player of December
Dubai, Jan 7: Australia captain Pat Cummins, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and South Africa’s star seamer Dane Paterson have been shortlisted for the ICC Men's Player of December 2024.
Temba Bavuma calls leading South Africa to maiden WTC Final his career highlight
Cape Town, January 7: South Africa's Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has described leading his team to their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final as the pinnacle of his Test career since debuting in 2014.
Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Dane Paterson nominated for December's Player of the Month award
Dubai, January 7: Australia skipper Pat Cummins, star India bowler Jasprit Bumrah, and South Africa right-arm seamer Dane Paterson have been nominated for the December's Player of the Month award on Tuesday following their exceptional performance for the national team throughout the month.
Hazlewood likely to be ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series due to calf injury
Sydney, January 7: Australian selectors are likely to leave out pacer Josh Hazlewood from the squad touring Sri Lanka for the team's last ICC World Test Championship assignment next year.
SA speedster Kagiso Rabada completes unwanted fifty during second Test against Pakistan
Cape Town, January 7: South African quick Kagiso Rabada achieved an unwanted fifty on Day 4 of the second Test against Pakistan in Cape Town, reported ESPNCricinfo.
South Africa's Temba Bavuma gets off to one of the best Test captaincy starts in 74 years
Cape Town, January 7: Temba Bavuma entered a special pool of players who registered the most wins after the first nine Tests as a captain.
SA's Rabada draws battle lines as WTC final against Australia confirmed
Cape Town, January 7: Following his side's series win over Pakistan at home, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada hinted that plans are already in the works to battle Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final in June, saying that Proteas know "how to beat" Aussies, the ICC Cricket reported.