Race to the WTC Final: What India, Australia, New Zealand, others need to secure a spot | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: The ICC World Test Championship standings are becoming increasingly competitive, with only a 15% gap separating the top two teams, India and Australia.
The possibility of these two teams meeting again in the 2023 title clash remains high.
Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand are also in the running for a top-two finish and a spot in next year’s one-off Test at Lord’s.
India currently lead the standings with 62.82% of possible points. They have one Test remaining at home against New Zealand and a five-Test series in Australia.
Despite recent setbacks against New Zealand, India can still finish with a maximum of 74.56% of points. The upcoming series against Australia will be crucial for their chances of reaching a third consecutive World Test Championship final.
Australia, the reigning champions, are close behind India with 62.50% of possible points. They need to win at least four of their remaining seven Tests to defend their title.
Australia have the advantage of playing two Tests in Sri Lanka next year, which means they could potentially draw 2-2 with India and still remain in contention for the final.
However, their immediate focus will be on regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, where they have struggled against India in recent years.
Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand are also in the mix, with the potential to secure a top-two finish.
Sri Lanka’s victory over England has given them hope, but they face challenging series against South Africa and Australia.
New Zealand’s historic series win in India has put them back in contention, but they will likely need to win all four of their remaining Tests.
South Africa’s success in the sub-continent has boosted their chances, and they have the advantage of playing four matches at home.
England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies are currently out of contention for the final, but they will be looking to finish the cycle on a positive note with strong performances in their remaining matches.
INDIA
Remaining series: New Zealand (home, one Test), Australia (away, five Tests)
AUSTRALIA
Remaining series: India (home, five Tests), Sri Lanka (away, two Tests)
NEW ZEALAND
Remaining series: India (away, one Test), England (home, three Tests)
SOUTH AFRICA
Remaining series: Bangladesh (away, one Test), Sri Lanka (home, two Tests), Pakistan (home, two Tests)
ENGLAND
Remaining series: New Zealand (away, three Tests)
PAKISTAN
Remaining Series: South Africa (away, two Tests), West Indies (home, two Tests)
BANGLADESH
Remaining Series: South Africa (home, one Test), West Indies (away, two Tests)
WEST INDIES
Remaining Series: Bangladesh (home, two matches), Pakistan (away, two matches)
Sri Lanka
Remaining Series: South Africa (away, Two Tests), Australia (home, two Tests)
