Christchurch [New Zealand]: England’s victory against New Zealand in the first Test at Hagley Oval propelled them to sixth place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 standings. The win marks a significant shift in the points table as the opening Tests in four ongoing series have reshaped the race for the final.
India and South Africa have strengthened their positions, boosting their chances of qualifying for the WTC final at Lord’s next year. On the other hand, defeats for Sri Lanka and Australia have left them with much work to do in order to improve their point percentages. New Zealand’s recent loss to England has significantly impacted their chances, as they now cannot surpass the 60% mark in the standings.
Following their win over Bangladesh, West Indies have climbed off the bottom of the table, improving their standing.
Current Standings:
1. India – 61.11% of possible points
Remaining matches: Australia (away, 4 Tests)
Best possible finish: 69.30%
India bounced back from a challenging series against New Zealand with a strong performance in Australia, rekindling their hopes of a third consecutive WTC final appearance. To secure qualification, India needs to win at least three of their remaining four matches.
2. South Africa – 59.26% of possible points
Remaining matches: Sri Lanka (home, 1 Test), Pakistan (home, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 69.44%
South Africa’s impressive win over Sri Lanka has helped them rise in the standings. With several crucial matches ahead, they remain in a strong position to reach the final.
3. Australia – 57.69% of possible points
Remaining matches: India (home, 4 Tests), Sri Lanka (away, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 71.05%
Despite being 1-0 down in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, Australia, the defending WTC champions, still have a good chance to qualify for the final. They will need to win a majority of their remaining matches to stay in contention.
4. New Zealand – 50% of possible points
Remaining matches: England (home, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 57.14%
A historic series win over India had boosted New Zealand’s chances, but their loss to England has significantly dented their hopes of reaching the final. Even with a strong finish, they will need favorable results from other teams.
5. Sri Lanka – 50% of possible points
Remaining matches: South Africa (away, 1 Test), Australia (home, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 61.54%
Sri Lanka’s heavy loss to South Africa has put them in a precarious position. They need to recover quickly to keep their hopes alive for a top-two finish.
6. England – 43.75% of possible points
Remaining matches: New Zealand (away, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 48.86%
After a tough series in Pakistan, England’s win over New Zealand has given them a chance, though they need a strong finish to remain in the race for the final.
7. Pakistan – 33.33% of possible points
Remaining matches: South Africa (away, 2 Tests), West Indies (home, 2 Tests)
Best possible finish: 52.38%
Though Pakistan has shown improvement under new coach Jason Gillespie, their chances of reaching the final are slim with several teams ahead of them.
8. West Indies – 26.67% of possible points
Remaining matches: Bangladesh (home, 1 Test), Pakistan (away, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 43.59%
West Indies have had a challenging cycle but have gained some momentum after their win against Bangladesh. They still have a long road ahead.
9. Bangladesh – 25.00% of possible points
Remaining matches: West Indies (away, 1 Test)
Best Possible Finish: 31.25%
Bangladesh’s defeat to the West Indies has placed them at the bottom of the table. Even with a win in their remaining match, they are unlikely to feature in the final.
As the WTC cycle progresses, teams are vying for a spot in the final at Lord’s next year, with crucial matches ahead for several sides.