India will soon take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final which is set to be played at The Oval in England, London from June 7 to June 11.
The WTC Final comprises one Test match which will take place between the two finalists, instead of the Final being played out like a series as is the case usually. In case of a decisive draw, there won't be another way to finalise a winner, and both teams will share the trophy.
There has been much discussion and debate about the WTC Final format, with multiple names from the cricket world weighing in.
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Why does WTC Final have only one Test?
Former International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer Geoff Allardice mentioned in 2021 that the reason for the WTC Final being only one Test match is due to the logistical issues it can cause to the sport's calendar. He stated that it would be unfair for other teams to stop their tours due to two sides being busy in a series for an entire month. Moreover, one match kept the excitement factor high during the Final.
"The reality of the international cricket schedule is that we’re not going to have that month or so, blocking out a month or so for all the teams in the tournament for a final. That’s why (a) one-match final was decided upon," Allardice said in a virtual news conference.
Should there be more Tests at the WTC Final?
Many cricketers and coaching staff voiced out their opinion that the WTC Final should not be restricted to one match rather it should be a series of games, therefore deciding a winner would be much easier.
The latest to express this sentiment was Australia Test skipper David Warner, who in conversation with Cricinfo mentioned that the WTC Final should be a three-match series which would reward both sides for the hard work and effort they have put in over the time of two years to reach the Final.
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"I think it's great. I have been - I won't say critical - but I do think it should be at least a three-game series with Test cricket only. You play two years of good cricket, then you play on a neutral venue against an opposition. We've all played here before but [this game is] not against the same [host] nation," said Warner.
Before the last WTC Final in 2021, Warner's opponent and former India Test captain Virat Kohli had shared similar views to those of his Australian colleague. Kohli said that two days were not enough to decide who the best team in this particular format is, and that rather it should be a multi-day series which brings the best out of both sides.
"I am not in absolute agreement of deciding the best Test side in the world over the course of one game. If it is a Test series, it has to be a test of character over three Tests - which team has the ability to come back in the series or totally blow away the other team. It can't just be pressure applied over two days of good cricket and then you suddenly you are not a good Test side anymore. I don't believe in it," stated Kohli.
Will the WTC Final format change?
As of now, there's nothing that hints at the WTC Final format changing from a one-match affair to a three-game series, with ICC members having agreed to follow the current format for another eight years.