As cricket enthusiasts around the world gear up for the much-anticipated WTC Final 2025, the excitement is palpable. With the top two Test-playing nations set to lock horns in the WTC 2025 Final, fans are eagerly speculating not only about performances and strategies but also about what happens in less-than-ideal scenarios—specifically, what if the match ends in a draw or is washed out due to rain?
Understanding the WTC Final rules, particularly the ones that deal with a draw or washout, is essential to comprehending who gets the ICC mace in WTC Final scenarios where a clear winner isn’t decided on the field.
What is the World Test Championship (WTC)?
The World Test Championship (WTC), launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019, adds meaning to bilateral Test series. Over two years, nine top Test nations compete in six series—three home, three away.The top two teams, based on points, play in the ICC WTC Final. The winner gets the ICC Test Mace, which is the biggest prize in Test cricket.
WTC Final Rules: What happens in a draw, rain, and who gets the ICC trophy?
Let’s dive into the official WTC Final rules that dictate outcomes when a match cannot be completed normally.
1. Reserve Day Provision
The ICC WTC Final 2025 will once again feature a reserve day, which can be used if time lost due to weather cannot be made up during the scheduled five days. However, this extra day is not an extension of the match but rather a backup to make up for lost time due to interruptions.
Key point: If full match time (5 days = 30 hours of play) is possible despite interruptions, reserve day will not be used.
2. What if the Match Ends in a Draw or Tie?
A Test match can end in a draw when both teams are unable to force a result within the allotted time and a tie when both teams have the exact same score after both innings.
In such a case, the ICC mace is shared.
Simple Rule: If the WTC Final ends in a draw or tie, both teams will be called joint winners and share the ICC trophy.
3. What happens if the match is fully cancelled due to rain?
In the unlikely event that rain or bad light washes out the entire Test and not even a single ball is bowled or the match cannot produce a result even after using the reserve day:
Outcome: The ICC WTC Final 2025 will again result in joint winners, with both finalists sharing the ICC mace.
WTC Final Draw Rules: Important Clarifications
The WTC final draw rules make it clear that this isn’t like a league match where points are shared and the league continues. Since the final is a standalone Test, if there’s no winner, there is no additional match or Super Over or follow-up Test.
Let’s break it down further:
- Draw due to both teams batting out time → Joint Winners
- Tie with same scores → Joint Winners
- No play due to rain for 5 days + reserve day → Joint Winners
The ICC made this policy crystal clear during the first WTC Final in 2021 and the same guidelines apply to the WTC 2025 Final.
Who Gets the ICC Mace in WTC Final Scenarios?
Now comes the million-dollar question: Who gets ICC mace in WTC Final if there’s no clear winner?
If there is a Winner:
- That team gets exclusive rights to the mace until the next WTC cycle.
If the Match is Drawn or Washed Out:
- Both teams are officially joint champions
- The mace is shared symbolically
- The original mace is retained by the ICC and both boards may get replicas or a ceremonial handover
How This Impacts the Teams Emotionally and Strategically
- For players, especially captains, winning outright is always more satisfying.
- For fans, especially in cricket-crazy nations like India, Australia or England and Pakistan, a shared title may feel underwhelming.
- Strategically, it encourages teams to play more positively to avoid a draw and aim for an outright win.
Past Precedents: What Happened in 2021 and 2023?
WTC Final 2021 – India vs New Zealand
- Rain played a major role.
- The match went into the sixth day (reserve day).
- New Zealand won outright.
- They took home the ICC mace.
WTC Final 2023 – India vs Australia
- No rain interruptions.
- Australia dominated and won clearly.
- Again, the mace went to the outright winner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What will happen if the WTC Final 2025 ends in a draw?
If the WTC Final 2025 ends in a draw, both teams will be declared joint winners and the ICC Test Mace will be shared.
Is there an extra (reserve) day for the ICC WTC Final 2025?
Yes, there is an extra day for the final if rain or bad weather stops the match. It will only be used if the match time cannot be completed within the five days.
Who gets ICC mace in WTC Final if rain washes out the game?
In case of a complete washout, both teams will share the mace and be declared joint champions. There is no rescheduling of the final.
Are there any Super Overs or penalty shootouts in case of a draw?
No. Test cricket does not include tie-breakers like Super Overs. A draw or tie results in shared honours in the WTC 2025 Final.
Conclusion
While the WTC Final 2025 promises high-octane Test cricket, the spectre of rain and draws is always lurking. Thankfully, the ICC WTC Final 2025 rules leave no room for confusion. If it’s a draw and washout or a tie, both teams will walk away as champions.
However, nothing compares to the glory of lifting the ICC mace as undisputed winners. Let’s hope the weather holds, the cricket shines and we get a result that celebrates the spirit of the game.
