• The World Test Championship final showcased classic Test cricket but highlighted significant format issues.
• Critics pointed out South Africa's unusual path to the final, having played fewer tests than competitors.
• Former players emphasize confusion surrounding the current qualification and points system.

A riveting World Test Championship (WTC) final saw South Africa overcome Australia by five wickets at Lord’s, a match that brought excitement to the traditional five-day format. However, top cricket observers agree that the WTC's structure necessitates significant reform. Critics have noted that while the match itself was captivating, the overarching competition remains "bewildering," lacking uniformity due to its unbalanced points system, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

The final, which included a notable swing in momentum during the four days, featured a total of 24 wickets, dominated initially by bowlers. But critics argue that the pathway for teams to reach the final has significant flaws, particularly in how South Africa qualified without facing powerhouse teams like Australia and England during the two-year qualifying period. "It's very hard for the average cricket fan to understand who's the best team in the world," remarked former England captain Michael Vaughan, highlighting the confusion surrounding the current championship format, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

The selection of finalists is based on a percentage of points earned from matches, yet critics highlight the inequality, with South Africa only playing 12 tests while Australia, India, and even England played significantly more—19 and 22, respectively. England captain Ben Stokes expressed his bewilderment over the system, stating, "I can't remember if I've ever even given any real time to be specifically thinking about the World Test Championship to be honest because it's utterly confusing," according to Reuters and Dawn.