England vs Australia Ashes 2025-26 kicks off in Perth – dates, squads, schedule
The 2025‑26 Ashes launches in Perth on 21 Nov, featuring Ben Stokes' England side against Australia, with a packed schedule and World Test Championship stakes.
ICC World Test Championship – All You Need to Know
When talking about the ICC World Test Championship, a league that puts the longest form of cricket into a competitive cycle. Also known as WTC, it brings order to Test cricket, letting fans follow a clear race to a final showdown. The competition is run by the International Cricket Council, the global governing body that sets the rules and schedules for the sport.
The championship works like a league: each team earns points for every four‑day or five‑day match they play. ICC World Test Championship encompasses a points‑based system where a win nets 12 points, a tie 6, and a draw shares the points. This structure forces nations to balance home advantage with away challenges, and it rewards consistency across the cycle. The point allocation is a direct answer to the old criticism that Test matches lacked a clear prize.
One of the biggest outcomes of the league is the Test rankings, which rank teams based on their performance in the championship. The rankings influence everything from series scheduling to broadcast deals. Because the rankings are tied to the championship, a strong finish can secure a spot in the coveted World Test Championship final. That final pits the top two teams against each other in a five‑day showdown that crowns the season's champion.
Historic rivalries get a fresh spin under the championship. Take the Ashes series – England vs Australia – which now contributes points directly to the league table. The added stakes mean every wicket feels heavier and every draw can shift the leaderboard. Similar pressure builds in other marquee matchups like India vs Pakistan or South Africa vs New Zealand, turning traditional tours into crucial championship fixtures.
Fans also see real benefits beyond the scoreboard. Broadcasters can market a clear narrative – "follow the race to the final" – which drives higher viewership and better sponsorship deals. The championship’s format encourages teams to field their best line‑ups, leading to higher quality cricket and more competitive games. That, in turn, fuels merchandise sales and stadium attendance, giving the sport a financial boost.
Critics argue that squeezing the traditional five‑day format into a points race could risk player burnout. However, the ICC has introduced a balanced calendar: each side must play a minimum of six series, mixing home and away fixtures, and allowing sufficient gaps between tours. This approach aims to protect player welfare while still delivering the drama fans crave.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that break down the championship’s latest results, analyze key series, and explore how the points system reshapes strategy. Whether you’re tracking your favorite team’s climb up the rankings or just want to understand how the final is decided, these posts will give you clear, actionable insights.