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Ben Stokes Dismisses WTC Importance; Labels It As Weird And Confusing

Soumyajit Dutta

Ben Stokes labelled WTC contention as 'weird' and 'confusing' [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Ben Stokes labelled WTC contention as 'weird' and 'confusing' [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

The World Test Championship Finals in 2025 will take place in the middle of next year, and England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, has already described it as 'weird' and 'confusing.' The inaugural edition of the WTC in 2019 was contested between New Zealand and India, with the Kiwis ultimately taking the trophy home.

Stokes's characterization of the trophy as "weird" may hold some truth due to its format and structure. Throughout the two-year tournament, each team plays three home series and three away series; however, it is important to note that not every team plays the same number of matches. As the tournament progresses, the top two teams with the highest points on the table will compete in the final.

Stokes' Candid Remarks On WTC

England's current position in the World Test Championship (WTC) league table does not look promising, as they sit sixth in the overall rankings. Out of the 19 matches that Ben Stokes and his team have played in the 2023-2025 cycle, they have lost 9. In an effort to downplay the significance of their poor ranking, Stokes told reporters ahead of the Test match against New Zealand that it doesn't matter much to him.

"In all honesty, the World Test Championship, it is a bit confusing, it’s one of those where, you know we don’t really look at it. It’s one of those where, over a long period of time, if you’re playing really good cricket, you’re getting results that you want, you’ll end up finding yourself there in the final and in the mix." Stokes told reporters.

Stokes also admitted that he did not even spend time in thinking or planning for the WTC finals to climb to the top of the table and play the finals. It was more of just a side-quest for him.

"For me and this team, it’s about taking it game by game, series by series. And if you end up finding yourself in the position where you happen to be in that World Test Championship final, then it’s great but it’s a real weird one knowing that you’re playing for something over a long period of time. Can’t remember if I’ve ever given any real time to be specifically thinking about the World Test Championship ... (it’s) utterly confusing," Stokes added.

Meanwhile, England is all set to face New Zealand in the upcoming series, which will begin on Thursday, November 28, and conclude with the third match on December 14. 

While England may not gain much in terms of WTC points from this series, a clean sweep by New Zealand would secure them a spot in the finals against the current table leader, India.

For the unaware, India has played 15 matches, winning 9 and accumulating a total of 110 points. In contrast, New Zealand has played 11 matches, winning 6 and earning 72 points.