World Test Championship points system is ridiculous – Michael Holding

Former West Indies legendary fast bowler Michael Holding feels the World Test Championship points system is ridiculous. In fact, the International Cricket Council has been often criticized for the points system in the past. There are maximum 120 points on offer for both the teams in a bilateral series.

Each win in a two-match series carries 60 points for a team. So if a team goes on to win a two-match series by 2-0, it gets all the 120 points on offer. However, eyebrows are raised when there is a five-match series. A maximum of 120 points can be achieved by both the teams, thus each win carries 24 points in a five-match series. Consequently, there are flaws in the current points system.

Furthermore, the teams have to be more stronger mentally for a five-match series as compared to a two-match series. Moreover, teams which are playing more two-match series have a wood on teams which are playing five-match series in the ongoing World Test Championship.

Holding, who is known to call spade a spade, feels it doesn’t make sense to get the same number of points while playing a five-match series and two-match series.

“It doesn’t work,” Holding told Wisden Cricket Monthly.

 “First of all the points system is ridiculous. You can’t play five Test matches and get the same amount of points if you play two Test matches”.

Meanwhile, India is at the top of the points table in the Test Championship with 360 points under their belt after nine matches. Australia is in second place with 296 points after playing 10 Test matches.

Players like Chris Woakes and Kane Williamson have also rated the points system as unfair. There is no doubt that there are loopholes in the present points criteria and the governing body will like to make the required changes in the second edition of the Test Championship.

The final of the Test championship will be played at Lord’s in 2021 between the top two teams of the points table. However, the ICC will need to revamp their whole calendar because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many Test series which were scheduled to happen have been postponed or cancelled due to the health crisis.

Written by: Gautam Chauhan