Was the 2023 to 2025 WTC Cycle the Most Challenging in Terms of Numbers?

After a thrilling period of 2 years having 9 participants, 69 matches across 27 series, endless memories and much more, the fans have finally got South Africa as the winners of the World Test Championship 2023–2025 cycle. In the complete WTC cycle, there were some of the best Test matches played along with some crucial innings and spells that changed the course of the game for the teams and eventually allowed them to get the points.

South Africa dominated the 2023–25 World Test Championship, winning 8 of 12 matches, losing 3, and drawing 1, clinching a PCT of 69.44 to lead the table. Australia followed closely in second, boasting 13 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws in 19 matches, with a PCT of 67.54. Their 154 points were the highest, but more games slightly lowered their percentage and India secured third, winning 9 of 19 matches with 2 draws, but 8 losses dragged their PCT to 50. New Zealand, with 7 wins and 7 losses in 14 games, ended at 48.21 PCT.

England, playing 22 matches, notched 11 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw, finishing at 43.18 PCT. Sri Lanka (5 wins, 13 games, 38.46 PCT), Bangladesh (4 wins, 12 games, 31.25 PCT), West Indies (28.21 PCT), and Pakistan (27.98 PCT) trailed. Despite flashes of brilliance, they couldn’t rise higher.

Highest Run Scorer

In the 2023 to 2025 World Test Championship cycle, three batters stood out with consistent performances across tough conditions and quality bowling attacks. Leading the run charts was England’s Joe Root, who proved yet again why he’s considered one of the best Test batters of this era. Root played 22 matches and batted in 40 innings, scoring 1968 runs at an impressive average of 54.66. He hit seven centuries and seven fifties, with a highest score of 262, and struck 186 fours and 9 sixes during the cycle. India’s young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as one of the biggest positives for the team.

Featuring in 19 matches and 36 innings, he amassed 1798 runs at a strong average of 52.88 and his highest score was an unbeaten 214, and he notched up four centuries and ten half-centuries, displaying remarkable consistency. What stood out was his aggressive intent, reflected in his 207 fours and 39 sixes — more than any other top batter. Ben Duckett from England also had a breakthrough cycle. The left-hander scored 1470 runs in 22 matches and 41 innings, maintaining a strike rate of 84.33, which made him one of the fastest-scoring players in the championship and he averaged 36.75 with two hundred and eight fifties, hitting 187 boundaries and 7 sixes.

Highest Wicket Taker

Coming to the bowling department, the World Test Championship 2023–2025 cycle saw some fiery spells and match-defining performances from world-class pacers. Leading the charts was Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins, who played 18 matches and bowled in 35 innings. He delivered 3383 balls (563.5 overs), took 80 wickets, and maintained a solid average of 23.48 and with a best innings figure of 6 for 28, Cummins also picked four 4-wicket hauls and six 5-wicket hauls, showing his consistency and ability to strike in key moments.

Not far behind was India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who arguably had the most lethal numbers of the cycle. Despite playing only 15 matches and bowling in 28 innings, Bumrah picked up 77 wickets — just three fewer than Cummins. He bowled 2362 balls (393.4 overs) and maintained a phenomenal bowling average of 15.09, which is the best among all leading bowlers. With an economy of 2.95 and a strike rate of just 30.67, Bumrah’s impact was unmatched.

His best figures were 6 for 45, and he claimed five 5-wicket hauls and five 4-wicket hauls. Another key figure for Australia was Mitchell Starc, who finished the cycle with 77 wickets in 19 matches. Bowling 3228 deliveries (538 overs), Starc had a slightly higher average of 26.89 and an economy of 3.84. His best performance was 6 for 48, and he claimed four 4-wicket hauls and two 5-wicket hauls.

Highest Scores by a Batsman

With the World Test Championship 2023–2025 producing some remarkable batting displays, a few standout performances have etched their place in recent cricket history. Leading the list is England’s Harry Brook, who smashed a sensational 317 off just 322 balls against Pakistan in Multan on 7 October 2024. His aggressive knock, laced with 29 fours and 3 sixes, came at an incredible strike rate of 98.44 and lasted 418 minutes. It set the tone for England’s massive 823 run total in that innings.

Right behind Brook is his teammate Joe Root, who showcased his usual patience and class in the same match. Root compiled a calm and controlled 262 runs from 375 balls, spending over 10 hours at the crease. His innings, which included 17 boundaries, had a strike rate of 69.86 and played a key role in England’s dominance.

South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton also entered the elite club with a brilliant 259 against Pakistan in Cape Town on 3 January 2025. Batting for 607 minutes, Rickelton faced 343 deliveries, hit 29 fours and 3 sixes, and maintained a strike rate of 75.51. His innings helped South Africa pile up a massive total and secure a big win.

Highest Total by a Team

In the 2023–25 World Test Championship cycle, several teams have produced remarkable batting performances, piling up huge totals that paved the way for dominant victories. England leads with an explosive 823 for 7 declared in 150 overs at a brisk run rate of 5.48 against Pakistan in Multan on October 7, 2024. Hot on their heels is Australia, showcasing grit and precision in Galle, where they scored 654 for 6 declared in 154 overs at a solid run rate of 4.24 against Sri Lanka on January 7, 2024. 29, 2025.

Their top-order solidity and lower-order contributions helped them take full command of the match and register a convincing win. The third-highest total in this cycle belongs to South Africa, who made 615 runs in 141.3 overs at a scoring rate of 4.34, once again against Pakistan, this time in Cape Town on January 11. 3, 2025.