Image courtesy of: icc-cricket.com
“The ICC World Test Championship logo represents a journey that all the Test playing nations will embark upon over the next four years”
International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson has announced that the road to the 2017 World Test Championship had begun after unveiling the tournament’s logo in Abu Dhabi.
“The ICC World Test Championship logo represents a journey that all the Test playing nations will embark upon over the next four years,” Richardson said. “It represents the global nature and the epic nature of the event.”
The 2017 World Test Championship will be held in England and Wales.
Richardson also took the time to explain how teams qualified for the global event.
“The qualification will be through the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings, with the qualifying period being from 1 May 2013 through to 31 December 2016,” Richardson added. “The top four teams at the conclusion of the qualification period will qualify for the event in 2017. The results of any Test series ending after 1 May 2013, and the results of any Test series starting before 31 December 2016, will be included in the period that determines qualification for the ICC WTC.”
South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who was present at the logo unveiling, stated that he was pleased to have a major tournament for all three formats now.
“It’s fantastic to have a pathway clearly identified for the ICC World Test Championship and to know that the top four teams will have a chance to battle it out to be crowned the ultimate champions,” he said.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who was also present at the event, noted that the World Test Championship would help improve ties between all the Test playing nations.
“Test cricket is a journey and it’s the pinnacle of our game,” he said. “It will add even more context to all the bi-lateral series that the Test sides play and ultimately gives each team a chance to be world champions in Test cricket.”