Alright, picture this: A 3.5-foot golden scepter, part Excalibur, part Olympic torch, part cricket nerd fever dream — that’s the Test mace. It’s not just a trophy. It’s the ultimate flex in the slowest, grittiest, most nuanced form of the sport: Test cricket.
If you’re used to slam-bam T20s or the glitz of ODI World Cups, Test cricket might feel like your granddad’s vinyl collection. But for purists? It’s the Rolling Stones, the Godfather trilogy, and a 500-page Tolstoy novel wrapped into a five-day grind. And for nearly two decades, the ICC Test Mace has been the crown jewel awarded to the best Test team on the planet — a slower thrill, not unlike the rising popularity of the Aviator game in India, where tension builds with every second before a big payoff.
Now here’s the twist: the mace has lived two lives. From 2001 to 2019, it was handed out based on ICC rankings. Think of it like the NBA team with the best regular season record getting a golden scepter. Since 2021? It’s become the prize for winning the ICC World Test Championship Final—basically, cricket’s version of the Super Bowl for Test cricket. A league, a final, a champion, a mace. Simple. Regal. And 100% epic.
Origins of the Test Mace Trophy (2001–2019)
Here’s where things get spicy. Most people think the ICC Test Mace started in 2003, when the rankings system became official. Wrong. It was actually introduced in 2001, a full two years earlier, as a shiny beacon for the top-ranked Test team in the world.
You know how the FIFA World Cup trophy is instantly recognizable? The Test Mace? Not so much. But it’s just as symbolic—maybe more. It was designed in 2000 by the British luxury firm Thomas Lyte, the same guys who specialize in silverware for royalty. Literally. They designed a trophy that feels like Gandalf commissioned it: a gold-plated cricket ball on top of a globe, set above a shaft wrapped with a laurel leaf spiral (classic symbol of glory), and a handle that mimics a cricket stump. It’s both elegant and warrior-like—like if James Bond had a side gig as a Test batsman.
From 2003 to 2019, the ICC handed out this beauty every April 1st to the team leading the Test rankings. Think about that: your team has to dominate the five-day format, across continents, against wildly different conditions—from the green monsters in England to the dry, spin-hungry tracks of India. It’s not just about winning—it’s about sustained excellence. And the Test Mace? It stood for all of it.
Transition to the ICC World Test Championship (2021–Present)
By the late 2010s, cricket fans had a gripe. “We want meaning! We want context!” Because let’s face it, a points table isn’t exactly thrilling content. So in came the ICC World Test Championship—first floated in 2013, finally launched in 2019. The mission: to make Test cricket feel like a real tournament, not just a series of disconnected showdowns.
And so, the mace got a promotion.
Instead of being handed out on April 1st like an academic honor roll certificate, it’s now awarded to the winner of the World Test Championship Final—a two-year slugfest where every run, wicket, and draw actually counts. The first final in 2021? New Zealand shocked India in Southampton to win the inaugural crown. Two years later, in 2023, Australia smoked India by 209 runs at The Oval to grab the mace and the $1.6 million prize. A golden stick never looked so good.
The WTC format has been a game-changer. It gave fans a true Test finale and turned the mace into more than a symbol of sustained brilliance—it’s now also the trophy for clutch supremacy. One match. One winner. One mace.
And yes, it still has that handcrafted, royal British charm. The 2021 remake by Thomas Lyte kept the original soul intact while giving it that extra polish. If trophies had Tinder bios, the mace’s would read: “Not just pretty—I’ve seen wars across three continents.”
Captains and Their Mace Moments
“When you hold the Test mace, you don’t just lift a trophy — you lift the history, pride, and grit of your nation.”
— Shane Jurgenson, former NZ bowling coach
Now let’s talk about the people who’ve actually hoisted this thing—because the mace, my friends, is a captain’s trophy.
1. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
The guy basically co-owned the mace from 2003 to 2008. Six straight years on top? That’s the Belichick-Brady level of dominance.
2. MS Dhoni (India)
Ah yes, “how many test mace Dhoni won?” Two. He took India to No. 1 in 2009 and 2010. Under his calm, ice-veined leadership, India finally broke through as a global Test force. The “Dhoni test mace” era began when India tamed Australia and Sri Lanka in their own dens. That 2009 mace win? It was India saying, “We belong.”
3. Virat Kohli (India)
Then came Kohli. The man didn’t just want the mace—he wanted to own it. He brought aggression, pace-bowling depth, and an obsession with fitness that transformed India’s Test team. Between 2017 and 2019, he led India to three consecutive years atop the rankings. So if you’re Googling “how many test mace Kohli won,” there’s your answer: three.
4. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
Between 2013–2015, South Africa took the baton and ran with it—Smith’s men were all muscle and ruthlessness, especially overseas. That was the golden age of Proteas Test cricket, built around Dale Steyn’s thunderbolts and AB de Villiers’ Jedi-level batting.
5. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Kane was the nice guy who finished first. In 2021, he captained New Zealand to their WTC triumph against India, and yes, he got the mace. It was such a moment that they gave it its own seat on the flight home. That Instagram post? Over 200,000 likes. “Test mace won by Dhoni” may have trended once, but in 2021, the mace was basically a Kiwi celebrity.
6. Pat Cummins (Australia)
2023 was all Aussie again. Cummins and crew tore through India in the WTC final. No April 1 rankings this time—this was a knockout. A 209-run statement that said: “We’re still the kings of the long game.”
ICC Test Mace Winners by Year and Captain
Okay, so here’s the resume. The table below reads like a cricketing hall of fame, with some of the most dominant dynasties this side of the Patriots’ 2000s run. The test mace winners list captain breakdown is where the trophy meets leadership — and it’s no coincidence that the best captains in modern Test cricket all have their fingerprints on this stick of gold.
| Year(s) | Winner | Captain | Format |
| 2003–2008 | Australia | Ricky Ponting | ICC Rankings (April 1) |
| 2009–2010 | India | MS Dhoni | ICC Rankings |
| 2012 | England | Andrew Strauss | ICC Rankings |
| 2013–2015 | South Africa | Graeme Smith | ICC Rankings |
| 2017–2019 | India | Virat Kohli | ICC Rankings |
| 2021 | New Zealand | Kane Williamson | WTC Final Winner |
| 2023 | Australia | Pat Cummins | WTC Final Winner |
It’s part leaderboard, part legacy vault. And let’s be honest—if you’ve never seen Ricky Ponting’s side in full flow or Kohli barking orders in whites, you haven’t lived.
How Many Test Maces Did Dhoni and Kohli Win?
You know what’s fun? Cricket fans on the internet arguing about legacies. Especially when it comes to the eternal Dhoni vs. Kohli leadership debate. So let’s clear the air with some cold, mace-polished facts.
MS Dhoni Test Mace Wins
- 2009
- 2010
Yep, that’s 2 Test Maces. Ask any Indian fan and they’ll tell you—those wins under Dhoni were like climbing Everest with sneakers on. The team had just begun believing it could dominate overseas, and suddenly they were the No. 1 side. That’s what makes the “dhoni test mace” and “test mace won by dhoni” search terms so legendary.
Virat Kohli Test Mace Wins
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
3-time Mace holder. Kohli didn’t just want the mace—he turned it into a dynasty. Fast bowlers, killer fitness standards, and a borderline obsession with winning in Australia, England, and South Africa. When you Google “how many test mace Kohli won,” now you know: Three. Straight. Years.
Key Design Details of the ICC Test Mace Trophy
This isn’t your average hunk of metal. The test mace trophy is basically a work of art—equal parts medieval weapon, Olympic torch, and cricket bat in disguise.
Handcrafted by the British legends over at Thomas Lyte (the silversmith equivalent of crafting wands at Ollivanders).
Handle shaped like a cricket stump, but classed up with a spiraled laurel leaf—because nothing says “champion” like ancient Greco-Roman victory symbolism.
At the top? A gold-plated cricket ball, nestled next to a global map, to remind everyone this isn’t just about national pride—it’s global domination.
The trophy fuses old-school craftsmanship with cutting-edge 3D printing, because even Test cricket likes a little tech flair.
In 2021, the mace got a subtle glow-up to reflect its new WTC finale status—still iconic, just sleeker.
It’s not just a prize. It’s a conversation piece, a flex, and probably something Indiana Jones would chase through a jungle.
The Mace’s Global Journey
Let’s talk about the legacy tour. No trophy in cricket has had a more relatable post-win moment than the mace in 2021.
After New Zealand’s historic win at Southampton, the ICC Test Mace got its own airplane seat on the way home. No joke. The team posted it on Instagram with the caption “Safely onboard.” It racked up over 211,000 likes, because obviously.
And then? It went on a nationwide tour, from Auckland to Invercargill. People lined up outside malls like it was a Taylor Swift album drop. Kids, families, lifelong fans—they all wanted a selfie with the mace. According to coach Shane Jurgenson, “We were in the Hamilton Mall and they were queuing outside of the Mall, people were out on the street!” That’s not just a celebration. That’s cricket pride in 24-karat form.
Why the Test Mace Still Matters
Alright, let’s get philosophical for a sec. In a world dominated by franchise leagues and one-day glam, why does the Test Mace still punch above its weight?
- Because it’s the only trophy that demands years of excellence—not one good month.
- Because winning it means you’ve conquered slow pitches in India, seam in England, and bouncers in Australia—sometimes all in one tour cycle.
- Because retaining it isn’t about luck. It’s about elite culture, discipline, and depth.
- Because in the age of six-hitting mercenaries, it gives Test cricket a clear narrative: Who’s the king? The mace knows.
The ICC Test Mace is a rare trophy that means more because it’s hard. Like winning the NBA Finals without a superteam. Like pitching a perfect game. It’s not supposed to happen easily. And that’s why we love it.
Conclusion: A Trophy of True Test Cricket Royalty
The ICC Test Mace might not have confetti cannons or dramatic music cues. But it’s cricket’s crown of credibility. Lift it, and you’re not just winning—you’re carving your name into the granite of the sport’s purest tradition.
From Dhoni’s calm domination to Kohli’s fiery reign, from New Zealand’s quiet triumph to Australia’s 2023 powerhouse statement, the mace has been the final word in Test cricket royalty.
And as long as bat and ball collide over five epic days across the globe, the Test Mace will stand tall—gleaming, golden, and utterly earned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the Test Mace?
It’s the official trophy awarded by the ICC to the top Test team in the world—initially based on rankings, now handed to the World Test Championship winner.
Q2: How many Test Mace trophies has MS Dhoni won?
Two—in 2009 and 2010, during his leadership of India.
Q3: How many Test Maces has Virat Kohli won?
Three—2017, 2018, and 2019, before the format switched to WTC.
Q4: Is the Test Mace still awarded through rankings?
Nope. Since 2021, it’s only awarded to the WTC final winner.
Q5: Who designed the ICC Test Championship Mace?
Designed in 2000 by Trevor Brown of Thomas Lyte, and remodeled in 2021.
Q6: Who are the most successful teams in ICC Test Mace history?
Australia tops the chart, followed by India and South Africa.
Q7: Which captain has held both the Test Mace and World Cup?
Only MS Dhoni—the man’s cricketing trophy cabinet is basically its own museum.
