UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

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?

Explanation:

• In 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the finalists would be decided by percentage of points earned. Point scoring was based on the matches played and their outcome. Each series was awarded a score and this was divided into the number of matches played. So, the number of matches won by the team is not the sole criteria. It was the total number of points scored in all the series played by an individual team that mattered. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The nine top-ranked Test teams are each required to play six bilateral Test series against mutually chosen opponents throughout the Championship cycle. Three of those six series will be played at home and three are to be played while touring.
  
  
• England won more matches than New Zealand but New Zealand was ahead on percentage of points earned. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Miscellaneous(pol)