A look at what these changes could be and what is the game schedule for each team:
The inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) saw New Zealand crown themselves as the winners after they defeated India in Southampton.
With that being done and dusted, the preparations for its second edition have resumed which will see the clash of India and England overseas (five-match Pataudi Trophy) starting August 4 being a part of it.
Unlike the inaugural edition of changes being made midway to the points tally, the apex cricket governing body ICC has devised a streamlined points system to avoid any discrepancy in the upcoming second edition.
A look at what these changes could be and what is the game schedule for each team:
1. WTC New Rules
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The number of series for each team remains the same as the previous cycle – 6 Test series (3 home, and 3 away) – but which weren't completed due to the pandemic and will span from August 2021 to June 2023.
Similar to the inaugural cycle, England will be playing most Tests (21) in WTC 2 followed by India (19) and then Australia (18).
South Africa will feature in 15 Tests, one more than Pakistan (14) while New Zealand will play 13 matches, the same as West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh (12) is the only country to play two matches in each of their six series in WTC 2.
New Points System: The governing body has made modifications to the points system. The ICC has decided to allot each match the same number of points - 12 for a win, 4 for a draw, 6 for a tie.
This is unlike the previous edition where points for each Test were distributed based on the number of Tests in a series, which comprised a total of 120 points for the entire series.
Teams will be deducted point(s) for slow over-rate – 1 point for each over they fall behind.
2. Team India
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India home games:
New Zealand - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka - 3 Test matches
Australia - 4 Test matches
India Away games:
England - 5 Test matches
South Africa - 3 Test matches
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
3. Team Australia
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Australia home games:
England - 5 Test matches
West Indies - 2 Test matches
South Africa - 3 Test matches
Australia Away games:
Pakistan - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka - 2 Test matches
India - 4 Test matches
4. Team New Zealand
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New Zealand home games:
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka - 2 Test matches
South Africa - 2 Test matches
New Zealand Away games:
Pakistan - 2 Test matches
England - 3 Test matches
India - 2 Test matches
5. Team England
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England home games:
India - 5 Test matches
New Zealand - 3 Test matches
South Africa - 3 Test matches
England Away games:
Pakistan - 3 Test matches
Australia - 5 Test matches
West Indies - 3 Test matches
6. Team South Africa
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South Africa home games:
India - 3 Test matches
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
West Indies - 2 Test matches
South Africa Away games:
New Zealand - 2 Test matches
Australia - 3 Test matches
England - 3 Test matches
7. Team Pakistan
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Pakistan home games:
Australia - 2 Test matches
New Zealand - 2 Test matches
England - 3 Test matches
Pakistan Away games:
West Indies - 2 Test matches
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka - 2 Test matches
8. Team Bangladesh
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Bangladesh home games:
Pakistan - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka - 2 Test matches
India - 2 Test matches
Bangladesh Away games:
West Indies - 2 Test matches
South Africa - 2 Test matches
New Zealand - 2 Test matches
9. Team West Indies
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West Indies home games:
Pakistan - 2 Test matches
England - 3 Test matches
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
West Indies Away games:
Sri Lanka - 2 Test matches
South Africa - 2 Test matches
Australia - 2 Test matches
10. Team Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka home games:
Pakistan - 2 Test matches
Australia - 3 Test matches
West Indies - 2 Test matches
Sri Lanka Away games:
Bangladesh - 2 Test matches
India - 3 Test matches
New Zealand - 2 Test matches
