Test Mace and WTC Trophy: History, Winners, and Design
Both the ICC Test Mace and WTC Trophy symbolize the pinnacle of success in Test cricket, they represent different aspects of the game. The Test Mace was a symbol of sustained excellence, awarded based on a team’s consistent performance over several years.
In contrast, the WTC Mace is a championship trophy awarded based on the outcome of a structured tournament, adding a competitive and conclusive element to the awarding process. Despite their different criteria and historical contexts, both Maces reflect the prestige and honor associated with being the best in Test cricket.
Test Mace and WTC Trophy: History and Process of Winning
Test Mace:
The ICC Test Mace was originally introduced in 2003 and awarded annually to the team ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings as of April 1st each year. The rankings were based on a points system that took into account the performances of teams over a rolling four-year period. Teams would earn points based on their performance in the bilateral Test series, and the team with the highest ranking on the cut-off date would receive the Mace.
This system rewarded teams for consistent excellence in Test cricket over time. The first recipient of the ICC Test Championship Mace was Australia in 2003, and they went on to win it a total of nine times, making them the team with the most wins under this system.
ICC Test Mace Winners List from 2003 to 2019
| Year | Team | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| April 2003 – 2009 | Australia | Ricky Ponting |
| April 2010 – 2011 | India | MS Dhoni |
| April 2012 | England | Alastair Cook |
| April 2013 – 2014 | South Africa | Graeme Smith |
| April 2015 | South Africa | Hashim Amla |
| April 2016 | Australia | Steve Smith |
| April 2017 – 2019 | India | Virat Kohli |
World Test Championship Trophy:
In 2019, the ICC introduced the World Test Championship (WTC), and the process for awarding the Mace changed. The WTC Mace is now given to the winner of the ICC World Test Championship, a structured competition spanning two years. The top two teams in the WTC points table at the end of the cycle play a one-off Test match in the WTC Final to determine the champion. The team that wins this final is awarded the WTC Mace. The first WTC Mace under the new system was awarded to New Zealand, who won the inaugural WTC Final against India in 2021.
ICC World Test Championship Final winners
| Year | Host(s) | Venue | Winners | Runners-up | POTM | Winning Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | England | Rose Bowl | New Zealand | India | Kyle Jamieson | Kane Williamson |
| 2021–2023 | England | The Oval | Australia | India | Travis Head | Pat Cummins |
Design and Structural Differences
The original Test Championship Mace was designed by Trevor Brown in 2000 and crafted by Thomas Lyte. It is made from sterling silver and gold plates with a hardwood base. The design features a handle resembling a cricket stump, wrapped in a silver-gilt laurel band. The top of the Mace depicts a gold-plated cricket ball set within a global map, symbolizing the global nature of Test cricket.
The globe includes longitude lines that create reflections against the golden cricket ball, designed to resemble the sight of a cricketer holding a stump as a souvenir after a match. This design incorporates a belt displaying the insignia of the 12 Test-playing nations, with space for additional nations to be added in the future.
The WTC Mace, introduced in 2021, retained much of the original design elements but underwent a redesign to reflect its new purpose as a trophy for the World Test Championship. It continues to feature the symbolic elements of the stump and cricket ball but emphasizes its role as a championship trophy awarded to the winner of a competitive tournament.
The Mace is crafted by hand at Thomas Lyte’s workshop in London and maintains the combination of sterling silver, gold plating, and hardwood, symbolizing the prestige and honor of being the world’s best Test cricket team.
