The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to discuss a new bonus points system at its upcoming board meeting in April. This system may reward teams more for significant wins, especially when playing overseas, for the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The 2025-27 WTC cycle is set to kick off with India facing England in a five-match Test series away in June. Currently, teams earn 12 points for winning by the smallest margin or by an innings, while a tie nets them six points and a draw earns four. However, there could be changes on the horizon. According to reports, the ICC is considering introducing bonus points for victories that exceed certain margins, such as winning by an innings or by more than 100 runs.
Furthermore, the ICC may provide additional points for defeating strong teams like India, Australia, or England, depending on their rankings. A former Indian cricketer shared that this change could encourage teams to pursue decisive victories, leading to more thrilling matches.
The ICC is also thinking about granting extra points for wins achieved away from home. A positive example was when New Zealand triumphed over India in a historic match last year, a feat not often accomplished by visiting teams. The proposed system would add an encouraging factor, offering more rewards for away victories.
In addition to the points system, the ICC board will also consider the idea of a two-tier Test structure, a concept that has gained support from Cricket Australia.
