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England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes shared his opinions on the format of the World Test Championship (WTC). The 33-year-old finds WTC a bit confusing and also revealed that England don’t think about it while playing a Test match. England are currently on their tour to New Zealand for a three-match Test, started on November 28.
England failed to make into the final of WTC in the last two edition in 2021 and 2023 respectively. This time also they are out of the contention to qualify for the final that will take place at Lords from June 11 to 15, 2025. England are in sixth position in the current WTC cycle from 2023 to 2025 with nine wins and the same number of losses in 19 matches so far.
Real weird one knowing that you are playing for something over a long period of time: Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes said he find it very weird that the teams play for almost two years to play a final that will decided the champion in the longest format of the game. He said that he never thought of a World Test Championship final specifically. Under Stokes’ captaincy, England have played 29 Test matches so far, out of which they won 17, lost 11 while one game ending a draw.
'In all honesty, the World Test Championship is a bit confusing; it is one of those where, you know, we do not really look at it, I do not look at it. It is one of those where, over a long period of time, if you are playing really good cricket and you are getting results that you want, you will end up finding yourself there in the final and in the mix,' Stoke was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
'I cannot remember if I have ever even given any real time to be specifically thinking about the World Test Championship to be honest because it is utterly confusing, we play a lot more cricket than anyone else does, that is just what we try and focus on, you know, if we play well, we will be there or thereabouts, but if we do not, then we would not be,” he further added.
