It is similar to the World Cup in T20 and ODI formats, but the World Test Championship is played over a two-year cycle, with each of the nine contestants playing an assigned number of home and away games before the top-two teams are determined, who then compete for the elusive trophy.
Until 2019, the ICC presented a Test Mace to the team that finished first in the rankings, before the governing body launched the WTC tournament, which added more value to the format. The first cycle’s champions were New Zealand. And by the end of this week, Test cricket will have a new champion when India takes on Australia in the final match at The Oval.
Also read: WTC Final: The Oval Pitch Looks Threatening for Indian Batters- See Photos
The weather is expected to be mostly sunny between Day 1 (Wednesday) and Day 4 (Saturday), with the latter day also being partly cloudy. However, there is a chance of scattered afternoon showers on Day 5 (Sunday), so the Reserve Day will be used in the WTC final, as it was in the 2021 final. Rain ruined the first day of the match two years ago, pushing it into the sixth day.
The sixth day will be used only if rain or a thunderstorm causes a washout on one of the five days and no result is reached at the end of the five days, according to the rule.
In the event of a tie, the trophy will be shared by India and Australia.