Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Current Affairs

Question

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Neither 1 nor 2

Strategy: Identify the percentage of points (PCT) as the governing metric for qualification. Since the ranking is based on PCT and not the number of matches won, any statements relying on win counts are misleading and can be dismissed.

Key Info: **About the ICC World Test Championship**

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a league competition for the top national teams in test cricket. The inaugural 2019-2021 cycle faced significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to cancelled or postponed matches.

To maintain fairness, the ICC established the **Percentage of Points (PCT)** as the sole ranking metric. This system calculates the ratio of points earned to the total points contested by a team, effectively normalizing rankings regardless of the number of matches played.

Key aspects of this system:
- The finalists, India and New Zealand, were determined by having the highest PCT, not the most wins.
- For example, New Zealand finished above England in the standings despite winning fewer matches. New Zealand's PCT was 70%, while England's was 61.4%, because England played more matches and accumulated more losses.
- This method ensures a comparative ranking that accounts for disparate match opportunities between teams.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship: The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship:

The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.

New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?