While New Zealand are keen on maxing the mathematical chance they have of qualifying for the World Test Championship, India needs at least 4 wins out of 6 Tests – including at Mumbai – to keep other chasing teams at bay.
However, South Africa have entered the ring climbing one spot in the points table, after registering an innings and 273 runs win in the second Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, their biggest victory in the history of Test cricket. It pushes them to 4th spot, with chances of shooting up even further. With a points percentage of 54.17, the Proteas went past Kiwis who are at 50 per cent.
India and Australia are perched at the top with 62.82% (8 wins from 12 matches) and 62.50% (8 wins from 13 matches) respectively. The Border Gavaskar series will be a straight shoot-off, as India need 4 from 6 atleast, including the Mumbai Test and Australia require 5 off 7 to seal the top spot.
New Zealand though will fancy their chances, given Australia and India need to fight each other off, and take points off each other. But the Kiwis need to win in Mumbai and whitewash England at home 3-0 to entertain WTC hopes.
It’s reminiscent of last time Black Caps won the WTC in 2020/21. They had then needed to beat West Indies and Pakistan in four successive tests, reports NZ Herald, and managed to make Finals where they beat India at Southampton.
NZ head coach Gary Stead was quoted by Herald as saying, “For the World Test Championship itself, there’s no doubt that one more win would certainly help us. I remember the first time we were in this situation, we had to win four tests on the bounce and managed to.”
However with South Africa whitewashing Bangladesh away from home 2-0 at Chattogram on Thursday, the Proteas have steadily climbed to a points percentage of 54.17%. South Africa have never made the final of WTC, but could be a surprise package with a late charge. They take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series this November end, and that is followed by two Tests against Pakistan starting Boxing Day at home.
If South Africa win all four matches, they will have pushed their points percentage close to 70 almost while even three wins and a loss will see them go past 60, and get into a threeway scuffle with India and Australia.
Sri Lanka are currently third with 55.56% with 5 wins from 9 matches, but they have lost all the other 4. They will need upsets against South Africa on the road.
England have the most wins – 9 – in this WTC cycle where they have played 19 Tests (next best is India’s13), but the Bazball era slow over rates have meant England have copped 19 deductions, pushing them to 6th. Besides, they got hammered by Pakistan.
ICC World Test Championship
|
Pos. |
Team |
Matches |
Points Ded. |
Contested |
Points |
PCT |
|||
| P | W | L | D | ||||||
| 1 | India | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 156 | 98 | 62.82 |
| 2 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 144 | 90 | 62.5 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 60 | 55.56 |
| 4 | South Africa | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 96 | 52 | 54.17 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 6 | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 19 | 228 | 93 | 40.79 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 120 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 10 | 3 | 76 | 0 | 3 | 120 | 33 | 27.50 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 108 | 20 | 18.52 |