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The recent launch of the International Cricket Council Test Championship (ICCTC) has heralded a new era in Test cricket after more than 120 years and 1 500 matches. For the first time, the sport is officially recognising world supremacy in the Test match cricket with all ten Test-playing nations playing home-and-away series against each other within a five-year period.

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray has indicated that this innovative decision has been taken to add interest, context and excitement to the game at the highest level. The championship will run on a rolling league basis, with positions being calculated based on the results of the most recent series (a minimum of two Test series applies).

A league table has already been drawn up, positioning each Test-playing nation based on Test cricket results for the past five years. Australia, who have been viewed as the unofficial top Test team for the past few years, will have the honour of being the first team to hold the ICC Test Championship trophy as they are currently ranked No. 1 in the new league format and because the first two series in the Championship - England versus Pakistan (ongoing in England) and England versus Australia, cannot affect Australia's leadership in the league. The trophy will automatically pass from one country to another as results confirm a change of Championship leader.

Using results from the most recent full series played between countries, Australia heads the first championship table, followed by South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Two points are allocated for winning a series and one for a drawn rubber. The ICC has modelled the championship on the Wisden system, which has been running in the Almanac since 1996. The only significant difference between the two is that the ICC table is based on the results of previous series of two Test matches or more, while Wisden recognises one-off Tests as a series.

At present, an average score per series (number of points won divided by number of series played) has been allocated to determine the top side, because not all teams have played each other home and away. This transitional arrangement will change to a straight points system in 2005 when all teams have played each other home and away.

"Test match cricket is the purest form of the game and commands the following of millions of fans around the world. In many countries it is flourishing and attracts large crowds, but there are parts of the world where the game would benefit from greater public interest and participation," said Gray, adding that "an ongoing Test Championship tracking the fortunes of each side and providing a talking point for enthusiasts is one way of rekindling interest."

"We would hope that supporters would want to constantly monitor who is on top of the ladder," he added.

Points to note about the ICC Test Championship

The ICC will update the championship table at the conclusion of each Test series.

A Test series is defined as a minimum of two matches. No maximum number has been stipulated.

l The leading side will hold the ICC Test Championship trophy, produced in silver and gold by Asprey & Garrard and valued at more than £30 000.

If two teams are tied at the top of the table the holder will retain the ICCTC trophy.

If, for any reason, a scheduled series is not played or completed, no points will be awarded. This decision has been taken to act as an incentive for members to fulfil all fixtures.

Bangladesh, Test cricket's newest member, will be allocated points but no average score until it has completed nine Test series (half of the full schedule of 18). This is scheduled to happen in April 2003 when Bangladesh hosts South Africa.

© The Barbados Nation