WTC Full Form in Cricket
The full form of WTC in cricket is World Test Championship. The WTC is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to crown the world’s top Test cricket team. It was introduced in 2019 to bring more context to the longest format of the game by adding a competitive structure and boosting interest.
Structure and Format
The WTC operates in a league format, with nine participating teams playing a series of Test matches over a two-year cycle. The teams accumulate points based on their performances, and the top two teams at the end of the league phase qualify for the final. The final determines the World Test Champion.
Historical Context
The idea for a World Test Championship was first proposed in 1996 by former West Indies cricketer Clive Lloyd. The format, however, became a reality only in 2019, and since then, the tournament has been a key feature in international cricket. New Zealand won the inaugural WTC in 2021 by defeating India in the final, while Australia won the 2021–2023 edition by beating India again.
Significance of WTC
The WTC brings more meaning and competitiveness to Test cricket, which often struggles for attention compared to the shorter formats. It offers teams the opportunity to compete for a title and motivates players to perform consistently across the longest format.
In short, the ICC World Test Championship has undoubtedly elevated Test cricket by introducing a structured and competitive edge to the format, ensuring that teams play with more intent and purpose to become the ultimate Test cricket champions.