ICC doubles prize money for World Test Championship 2023-25

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a massive increase in prize money for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

It has released a promotional video featuring a host of past and present stars as expected for the ultimate Test.

The total prize pool for the WTC 2023-25 ​​finals is USD $5.76 million, double that of the previous two editions.

The winners of the WTC final, to be played between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s from June 11-15, will receive a purse of $3.6 million, double what New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023) earned after winning the previous two finals.

The losing finalists will also earn more than the previously high prize money, this time assured at more than $2.1 million. The winners of the last two editions won $1.6 million while the losing finalists received $800,000.

The increase in prize money reflects the ICC’s efforts to prioritise Test cricket as it looks to build momentum over the first three rounds of the nine-team competition.

In the third edition, South Africa won the home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan 2-0 to finish with 69.44 points.

Defending champions Australia won with 67.54 points while India won with 50.00 points after leading the table for most of the time.

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Australian captain Pat Cummins said: “We are incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s. It is a testament to everyone involved over the last two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a huge honour for us all.

“We look forward to reuniting in England in just a few weeks and South Africa will present a challenge at the home of cricket.”