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?
Contents13
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is wrong:
Finalists were not decided by total match wins.
Due to COVID-19 disrupting schedules, the ICC used Percentage of Points (PCT) — the percentage of points won out of total points contested.
This was fairer since teams played different numbers of matches.
Statement 2 is wrong:
New Zealand finished 2nd (PCT: 70%, 7 wins, 4 losses) while England was 4th (PCT: 61%, 11 wins, 7 losses).
Although England won more matches (11 vs 7), New Zealand ranked higher due to its better win percentage.
Neither statement is correct.
Answer: (d).
The ICC World Test Championship final was held in June 2021, making cricket rankings a hot current affairs topic for UPSC 2021.
COVID-19 forced the ICC to change ranking criteria from total wins to win percentage, creating confusion that UPSC exploited to test current affairs awareness.
The question tests whether students followed sports current affairs closely enough to know the specific ranking system used during the pandemic.
ICC World Test Championship Format
Art And Culture ICC World Test Championship finalists matches
ICC World Test Championship: Format & COVID-19 Adaptations
PCT (Percentage of Points) decided finalists, not total wins
India vs New Zealand final held at Lord's in 2021
COVID-19 forced ranking change from points to percentage system
Tournament cycle: 2019-2021 (first edition)
What is WTC
The World Test Championship is ICC's premier Test cricket tournament, bringing structure to bilateral Test series. The inaugural 2019-2021 cycle culminated in a final between the top two teams.
Original vs COVID-Modified System
Aspect | Original Plan | COVID-Modified System |
|---|---|---|
Ranking Basis | Total points earned | Percentage of Points (PCT) |
Formula | Sum of series points | Points won ÷ Points contested × 100 |
Reason for Change | Equal matches for all teams | Teams played different number of matches |
Fairness | Assumed complete fixtures | Adjusted for disrupted schedules |
How PCT System Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Series Points Available**
Each bilateral series offers **120 points total**`"]
s2["`**Points Distribution**
Points split among matches in the series`"]
s3["`**Team Performance**
Team earns points based on **wins/draws/losses**`"]
s4["`**PCT Calculation**
**Points Won ÷ Total Points Contested × 100**`"]
s5["`**Final Ranking**
Top 2 teams by **PCT qualify for final**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Question Context
Both statements in the question were incorrect - this tested understanding of the modified ranking system
Statement 1 trap: Total wins seem logical but PCT was the actual criterion due to unequal fixtures
Statement 2 trap: England had more total wins (11) than New Zealand (7) but lower PCT
Trap: Assuming total match wins determine rankings - PCT system makes this wrong
Trap: More wins = higher rank - New Zealand (7 wins, 70% PCT) ranked above England (11 wins, 61% PCT)
Trap: Ignoring COVID-19 impact - original points system was abandoned mid-tournament
New Zealand vs England WTC Performance
Art And Culture New Zealand England won more matches
WTC 2019-21: New Zealand vs England Performance Analysis
New Zealand finished 2nd with 70% PCT, England 4th with 61% PCT
England won more total matches (11 vs 7) but had lower win percentage
New Zealand qualified for the final, England did not
Head-to-Head Statistics
Team | Final Position | Matches Won | Matches Lost | PCT | Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 2nd | 7 | 4 | 70.0% | Yes |
England | 4th | 11 | 7 | 61.1% | No |
Why This Happened
New Zealand played fewer total matches but maintained a better win ratio. England played more series due to their busy schedule but had inconsistent results, leading to a lower percentage despite more absolute victories.
Key Insight
Quality over quantity: New Zealand's focused approach with fewer matches but higher success rate
Consistency matters: England's additional matches included more losses, dragging down their PCT
Tournament design: PCT system rewarded efficiency rather than volume of cricket played
Trap: Statement 2 says New Zealand won more matches - England actually won more (11 vs 7)
Trap: Confusing ranking position with total wins - different metrics in PCT system
Trap: Missing that both teams' records disprove the statement's claim about match wins
COVID-19 Impact on Sports Tournaments
Art And Culture
COVID-19 Disruptions in International Sports: Adaptive Measures
Schedule disruptions forced tournament format changes across sports
Percentage-based systems replaced absolute metrics for fairness
Bio-bubbles and reduced fixtures became standard adaptations
Sports Disruption Pattern
COVID-19 created unprecedented challenges for international sports from 2020-2022. Tournament organizers had to balance competitive integrity with health safety, leading to innovative format modifications.
Common Adaptations
Fixture cancellations: Many bilateral series and tournaments were postponed or cancelled entirely
Bio-bubble protocols: Teams isolated in secure environments with regular testing
Neutral venues: Matches moved to countries with better health infrastructure
Modified rankings: Percentage-based calculations replaced total points/wins systems
Reduced spectators: Matches played in empty stadiums or with limited capacity
Sports Affected by COVID-19
Sport | Major Tournament | Key Adaptation | Time Period |
|---|---|---|---|
Cricket | World Test Championship | PCT ranking system | 2020-2021 |
Football | Euro 2020 | Postponed to 2021 | 2020-2021 |
Olympics | Tokyo 2020 | Delayed by 1 year | 2020-2021 |
Tennis | Wimbledon 2020 | Complete cancellation | 2020 |
Trap: Assuming pre-COVID rules still applied - many tournaments changed formats mid-cycle
Trap: Not recognizing fairness adjustments - percentage systems became standard across sports