ICC World Test Championship 2017: Pathway to the ICC World Test Championship Revealed

The Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council Chief Executive, David Richardson, today announced that the pathway to the ICC World Test Championship (ICC WTC) had begun by revealing the brand logo 

Speaking at the launch event in Abu Dhabi, , Mr Richardson explained the concept behind the brand icon, saying: “The ICC World Test Championship logo represents a journey that all the Test playing nations will embark upon over the next four years. It represents the global nature and the epic nature of the event.” The ICC WTC icon has been created by Bulletproof, a global agency based out of London and New York. The icon is designed to be a moving, physical, three dimensional form that can adapt and reflect its environment. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, a global icon for the future of Test cricket. 

Explaining the pathway to qualification to the inaugural ICC World Test Championship that will be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2017, Mr Richardson said: “The qualification pathway for the ICC World Test Championship will be through the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings, with the qualifying period being from 1 May 2013 through to 31 December 2016.

The top four teams at the conclusion of the qualification period will qualify for the event in 2017. The results of any Test series ending after 1 May 2013, and the results of any Test series starting before 31 December 2016, will be included in the period that determine qualification for the ICC WTC. 

Speaking at the event, South Africa captain Graeme Smith said: “It’s fantastic to have a pathway clearly identified for the ICC World Test Championship and to know that the top four teams will have a chance to battle it out to be crowned the ultimate champions.

“It adds a new meaning for all the Test teams when it comes to the rankings and the importance of the game.”

Smith’s counterpart, Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq added: “Test cricket is a journey and it’s the pinnacle of our game. It will add even more context to all the bi-lateral series that the Test sides play and ultimately gives each team a chance to be world champions in Test cricket.”

Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings

The Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings were designed by David Kendix and launched in 2003. The Team Rankings include the 10 Test playing nations and is a ranking system overlaid on all international bi-lateral series. Information on how the Reliance ICC Test Team Championship Rankings are calculated can be found here.

To find out exactly how the forthcoming series will affect the Rankings Table, please click here.

(source ICC cricket)