UPSC Prelims 2021 Q100: Current Affairs – Cricket
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) - Final and Ranking
Background: The inaugural WTC final was between India and New Zealand, played 18-23 June 2021 at Southampton. New Zealand won by 8 wickets.
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finalists decided by matches won | FALSE | Finalists were decided by percentage of points won (PCT) - not raw matches won. India (~70% PCT) and New Zealand (~70% PCT) topped the table on PCT basis. COVID-19 reduced matches so points-percentage was used. |
| 2 | New Zealand ranked ahead of England because it won more matches | FALSE | New Zealand and England's ranking was based on percentage of points, not raw matches. England actually played more matches. The PCT system was the tiebreaker throughout WTC. |
Both statements are wrong. Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
WTC 2019-21 was decided by Percentage of Points system, not by matches won.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong - finalists were decided by percentage of points won, not raw matches.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong - New Zealand's ranking was based on PCT, not matches won.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements are wrong.
- (d) CORRECT. Both statements are wrong. The ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) finalists were decided by PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON (PCT), not by raw matches won. India and New Zealand topped the table on PCT. NZ won the inaugural final at Southampton (June 2021).
Key point
ICC WTC 2019-21 = decided by PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON (PCT), not raw matches. India + New Zealand topped table on PCT. NZ won inaugural final at Southampton, June 2021 (by 8 wickets). Both statements 1 and 2 are wrong.
Remember
Both statements about the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) are wrong: (1) Finalists were decided by PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON, not by matches won; (2) New Zealand's ranking above England was based on PCT, not on raw matches won. Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Test Championship was decided by matches won. It was decided by PCT (Percentage of Points).
- Not knowing the PCT system was introduced to handle COVID-19 disruptions during 2019-21 cycle.
- Confusing the WTC 2019-21 cycle (India vs NZ, NZ won) with WTC 2021-23 (Australia vs India, Australia won 2023).
Exam tip
ICC WTC 2019-2021 (Inaugural): (i) 9 teams competed; (ii) Ranked by PERCENTAGE of Points Won (PCT), not matches; (iii) Final: NZ beat India by 8 wickets at Southampton, June 2021; (iv) Man of the Match: Kyle Jamieson. WTC 2021-23: Australia beat India by 209 runs at The Oval, June 2023.
Sources
- ICC - World Test Championship 2019-2021 Standings and Regulations
- ESPN Cricinfo - WTC Final 2021 Match Report