New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 is entering its crucial phase, with the three-match Test series between New Zealand and England concluding on Tuesday. Both teams are now mathematically out of contention for a place in the final at Lord’s next year.
At the forefront of the standings, India and Australia, the finalists from the previous edition, are locked in a fierce battle for a spot in the final during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Meanwhile, South Africa is gearing up to host Pakistan for two Tests, with their eyes firmly on securing a place in the title decider.
Australia briefly held the top spot in the 2023-25 WTC standings, but their stay was short-lived. South Africa surged ahead after their hard-fought 109-run victory over Sri Lanka, a win that propelled them to the top of the table. The Proteas now sit as the front-runners for the WTC25 final at Lord’s, but with several key matches still to play, the race remains wide open.
Current Standings:
- 1st – South Africa (63.33% of possible points)
Remaining matches: Pakistan (home, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 69.44%
South Africa’s impressive 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka has put them in the driving seat for a spot in the WTC final. With two critical home Tests against Pakistan remaining, they are well-positioned to increase their points tally and secure qualification for the final. - 2nd – Australia (60.71% of possible points)
Remaining matches: India (home, 3 Tests), Sri Lanka (away, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 71.05%
Australia, the reigning WTC champions, have had a roller-coaster campaign, temporarily reclaiming the top spot after India’s loss to New Zealand. However, their fall to South Africa and a subsequent loss in Perth has left them with their eyes on a strong finish in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. - 3rd – India (57.29% of possible points)
Remaining matches: Australia (away, 3 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 64.04%
After suffering an unexpected whitewash against New Zealand in October, India bounced back with a big win over Australia in Perth. Despite a setback in the second Test, India remains in the race, but to secure qualification, they must win all three remaining Tests against Australia. - 4th – New Zealand (48.21% of possible points)
New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the final took a significant hit after their loss to England in the first Test, followed by a crushing defeat in the second Test. Despite a 423-run victory in the final match, their chances were dashed as they ended the series in fourth place. Their slow-over rate penalty in Christchurch further dampened their chances of reaching the top. - 5th – Sri Lanka (45.45% of possible points)
Remaining matches: Australia (home, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 53.85%
A strong victory over England and a whitewash of New Zealand had given Sri Lanka hope, but a 2-0 series loss to South Africa has left them needing several results to go their way to have any chance of qualification. - 6th – England (43.18% of possible points)
England’s chances took a significant blow after consecutive losses in Pakistan, but they showed resilience with dominant victories over New Zealand. However, their final Test loss to the Black Caps left them in sixth place, out of contention for a place in the final. - 7th – Pakistan (33.33% of possible points)
Remaining matches: South Africa (away, 2 Tests), West Indies (home, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 52.38%
Pakistan’s slim chances of qualifying remain, with four remaining Tests. Their win streak under new coach Jason Gillespie has been promising, but they will need to secure victories against both South Africa and the West Indies to stay in the hunt. - 8th – Bangladesh (31.25% of possible points)
Remaining matches: None
Best Possible Finish: 31.25%
Bangladesh ended their campaign with an impressive win over the West Indies, but their overall performance this cycle has been underwhelming. Despite this, they will take confidence from the three Test wins they secured away from home, including a series sweep over Pakistan. - 9th – West Indies (24.24% of possible points)
Remaining matches: Pakistan (away, 2 Tests)
Best Possible Finish: 35.90%
The West Indies have been plagued by inconsistency throughout the cycle. Although they showed promise with a win over Australia and a victory against Bangladesh, a batting collapse in Jamaica left them at the bottom of the table. They will now face Pakistan in a two-Test series in early 2025 to finish their campaign.
Outlook: With several key series still to unfold, South Africa, Australia, and India remain the frontrunners for the WTC 2023-25 final, while other teams like Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand are on the periphery, hoping for a string of positive results to keep their hopes alive. As the competition heads into its final stages, every point will count in this fiercely contested race for Lord’s.