The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 cycle is already underway, with teams racking up points match by match. But for many fans, even seasoned ones, understanding how WTC Test points work can feel like solving a cricket-themed math puzzle. Add in factors like draws, ties, and points deduction in WTC due to slow over-rates, and it gets even murkier. Here, we’ll break down how WTC points are calculated in a way that’s easy to follow, with real examples and a handy table.
Contents
How WTC Points Are Calculated? [2025–2027 Edition]
Every Test match in the WTC cycle carries serious stakes. Whether a team wins, draws, ties, or loses, points are either earned or lost.
| Match Result | Points Earned |
| Win | 12 |
| Tie | 6 |
| Draw | 4 |
| Loss | 0 |
So, if India wins a Test against England, they earn 12 points. If the match is drawn, say, due to rain, both teams get 4 points each. In the extremely rare case of a tie, both get 6. But a loss gives you nothing. Here’s where it gets tricky: when teams are penalized for things like slow over-rates, they suffer a points deduction. For every over short of the minimum required, 1 point is docked, and that can be the difference between qualification and elimination.
Tie vs Draw：Why It Matters?
Let’s address a common mix-up in Test cricket: tie vs. draw. They sound similar, but they matter a lot when calculating how WTC points are calculated. A tie happens when both teams score the exact same number of runs and the team batting last is dismissed, extremely rare, with only two in history. A draw happens when time runs out and no result is achieved. For instance, if rain washes out the final day or the batting side survives without being bowled out, it’s a draw.
Points-wise:
- Tie = 6
- Draw = 4
- Win = 12
- Loss = 0
The difference impacts the standings.
Why Percentage of Points Earned Is the Real Decider?
Here’s the curveball: rankings aren’t based on total points, they’re based on PCT, or Percentage of Points Earned.
| PCT = (Points Earned ÷ Points Available) × 100 |
This system ensures fairness since not every team plays the same number of matches. A team with fewer matches but a higher success rate can outrank a team with more games but inconsistent results. That’s why every point matters, even 4 from a draw. And that’s also why a points deduction in WTC due to poor over-rates hurts so badly. It affects both your total points and your PCT, dragging you down the standings.
While Australia maintain their perfect record, a team in the chasing pack have learned their fate following slow over rates at Lord’s 👀
More from #WTC27 👉 https://t.co/UgcHykN9ME pic.twitter.com/SaLeYbZj4J
— ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2025
Recent Case：England’s Blunder
England won a thrilling Test against India at Lord’s to take a 2–1 lead. But instead of earning the full 12 points, they were docked 2 points for slow over-rate, a clear case of points deduction in the WTC. They had bowled only 72.3 overs instead of the minimum 90, and even after allowances, they were 2 overs short.
Result?
- Earned: 12
- Deducted: 2
- Final: 10
- PCT dropped, and Sri Lanka overtook them in the standings
This wasn’t a one-off; England also lost 22 points to penalties in the previous cycle. So even if you dominate on the field, small lapses, like over-rates, can cause big drops on the table.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2027 WTC cycle is a marathon, not a sprint. Now that you know how WTC points are calculated, how WTC Test points differ by result, and how harsh the points deduction in WTC can be, you’ll watch every session with sharper eyes. Every ball, every over, and every decision carries weight, not just for the match, but for the bigger goal: a spot in the WTC Final at Lord’s in 2027.
