Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship:
1.The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2.New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2
Question from UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper
Explanation :
ICC World Test Championship Finalists Selection
The ICC World Test Championship is a league competition for Test cricket run by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which started on 1 August 2019. The championship features nine of the twelve Test-playing nations, each of which plays a Test series against six of the other eight teams. The first edition of the championship concluded with the final in June 2021.
Now, let’s address the statements:
1. Finalists Decided by Match Wins?
This statement is incorrect. The finalists for the ICC World Test Championship were not decided solely by the number of matches they won. Instead, the ranking was based on the percentage of points earned from the matches they played. This points percentage system was introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the cricket calendar, leading to the cancellation of several series. Teams were awarded points for wins, draws, and ties, but the final standings were determined by the percentage of points they earned out of the total points available from the matches they actually played.
2. New Zealand’s Ranking Over England
This statement is also incorrect. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England not just because it won more matches, but because it had a higher percentage of points. The ranking was not based on the number of matches won alone but on the points percentage as explained above. New Zealand qualified for the final due to their higher points percentage compared to other teams, including England.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Neither 1 nor 2” because both statements are incorrect based on the methodology used by the ICC to determine the finalists for the World Test Championship.
