ICC World Test Championship Archives

Former Indian cricketer predicts tough WTC defence for South Africa

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes defending champions South Africa face an uphill task in qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 final.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra assessed the Proteas’ fixtures in the current cycle and said their schedule leaves little margin for error.

“Australia, England, and Bangladesh are South Africa’s home series. Australia and England will be tough, and they will beat Bangladesh,” he said.

Their away assignments against India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, all in the subcontinent, were identified as the biggest challenge.

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“All three of their away series are in the subcontinent. They will find it difficult to even draw those series. In my opinion, South Africa might not qualify [for the WTC final]. There’s a good chance they won’t,” Aakash Chopra added.

The cricketer-turned-analyst said Bangladesh would be South Africa’s easiest opponent in the cycle, while fixtures against England and New Zealand could still be tricky.

“They will 100 percent win against Bangladesh. They should win against New Zealand. They should win against England as well. However, it’s a five-match series, so they are unlikely to get full points,” he explained.

South Africa are the reigning WTC champions, having defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord’s in the 2023-25 final, their first ICC title since winning the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan reflects on second ODI defeat against West Indies

How can India qualify for WTC final after Melbourne Test defeat against Australia?

MELBOURNE: India suffered a major blow to their chances of qualifying for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) after suffering a thumping defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia here on Monday.

India bundled for 155 with just 12.5 overs left in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as Australia claimed a thrilling 184-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Despite the heavy defeat, India are still in contention for a spot in the WTC final next year at Lord’s. Currently ranked No. 3 on the points table, India holds a Percentage of Points (PCT%) of 52.78, leaving them with a glimmer of hope.

To secure their qualification, India must triumph over Australia in the crucial fifth Test match, which is set to commence on January 3, 2025, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

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However, India will also need Sri Lanka to achieve victory over Australia in their two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on January 29, 2025, in Galle. A series win for Sri Lanka by either 2-0 or 1-0 would be essential for India’s chances.

If everything falls into place, India could conclude the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a PCT% of 55.26. In this scenario, Australia’s maximum PCT% could rise to 53.51, while Sri Lanka could finish with a maximum of 53.85 PCT%.

However, if India fails to secure a win in the fifth Test against Australia, they would be out of the race for the WTC final, even in case of a draw.

Furthermore, if India manages to overcome Australia in Sydney yet Australia still manages to win at least one Test in their series against Sri Lanka, India would still fall short of qualification.

Meanwhile, South Africa have made history on Sunday by clinching their first-ever place in the WTC final. This achievement came after a thrilling victory over Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of their two-match series in Centurion.

READ: Mohammad Abbas achieves historic feat after heroics in first South Africa Test

Temba Bavuma eyes WTC final spot with victory over Pakistan

South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma stated that his team aims to defeat Pakistan in the upcoming series to secure a spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

Bavuma’s team has emerged as formidable contenders for the WTC final, currently perched at the summit of the points table after their clean sweep victory over Sri Lanka in a recent two-match Test series.

With two crucial Tests still to be played on home turf against Pakistan, securing victories in these matches will further cement their position in the race for the final.

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“I believe we are performing well as a team, currently ranked number one in the WTC table. The future is uncertain, but we will take the time to celebrate today,” Temba Bavuma stated.

“In a few weeks, we face Pakistan, and we must maintain our focus and continue our journey.”

Bavuma also addressed his return to action after being on the sidelines due to an injury.

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“It feels great to be back; it was frustrating to watch from the sidelines. I was eager to return and seize the opportunity,” he added.

It’s worth noting that the two-match Test series between Pakistan and South Africa will kick off in Centurion on December 26, meanwhile, the second Test will start from January 3 in Cape Town.

READ: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi eye milestones in first T20I against South Africa

Can Sri Lanka still qualify for WTC final after South Africa series defeat?

Sri Lanka were whitewashed by South Africa in the two-match Test series, which dented their chances of qualifying for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

Sri Lanka had arrived in South Africa with an aim to secure a place in the WTC final for the 2023-25 cycle, however, their hopes suffered a massive blow with a crushing defeat in the opening Test in Durban.

While the team displayed a more resilient performance in the second Test in Gqeberha, they ultimately fell short, succumbing to the hosts by a substantial margin of 109 runs.

This victory propelled South Africa to the top of the WTC points table, positioning them as strong contenders for the final.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka remained in fourth place, but their dreams of reaching the final were not entirely dashed. They still had two matches left in the current cycle, with Australia set to visit Sri Lanka for a two-match series next year.

The Sri Lankan cricket team need to achieve a clean sweep victory over Australia to boost their percentage points (PCT) to 53.85.

A victory by just 1-0 would leave Sri Lanka with a PCT of only 48.72, which would not suffice. Additionally, they need to keep an eye on the outcomes of other teams’ matches.

South Africa have two Tests remaining in the current cycle on their home soil against Pakistan. If they draw even one of those matches, they would secure a PCT of 55.56.

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However, if Pakistan manage to stun South Africa with a 2-0 victory, then the latter would finish with a PCT of 52.78.

Sri Lanka’s chances of qualification would increase significantly in case of South Africa’s defeat, regardless of the results from the ongoing series between India and Australia.

For instance, should Australia incur a 2-3 loss, their PCT would dwindle to 50.00, assuming Sri Lanka achieves a 0-2 victory over them. Similarly, if India were to face a similar 2-3 defeat, they would drop to a PCT of 53.51.

However, in the case of Pakistan’s loss against South Africa, the situation becomes more complex.

The only feasible path remaining for Sri Lanka to qualify under those circumstances would require the India-Australia series to conclude in a 1-1 draw. In this scenario, India would finalize their campaign at 53.51, while Australia would settle at a PCT of 50.00.

After going through all the scenarios, it’s clear that Sri Lanka would want Pakistan to achieve a clean sweep over South Africa.

If this happens and Sri Lanka can triumph 2-0 against Australia, their qualification would be nearly assured. Otherwise, Sri Lanka would still need to secure a 2-0 win against Australia while simultaneously hoping for three consecutive draws in the Australia series.

READ: Keshav Maharaj helps South Africa complete Test series sweep over Sri Lanka

How can India qualify for WTC final after crushing Australia in Perth Test?

India, under the stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, defeated Australia by a massive 295-run margin in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth and claimed the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings on Monday.

Australia, while chasing a mountainous 534, crumbled to 238 all out in the final session on day four. A counter-punching Travis Head made a gritty 89 while Mitchell Marsh chipped in with 47.

But it was never going to be enough against an inspired attack led by the irrepressible Bumrah, who took 3-42 to claim eight wickets in the match. He was ably supported by Mohammed Siraj with 3-51.

It was an astonishing turnaround for India, who arrived in Australia on the back of a humiliating 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand. They needed four victories in the five-match series to earn their place in the WTC final.

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With the victory in the Perth Test, India successfully ascended to the top of the WTC standings, boasting a PCT of 61.11 after winning nine out of their 15 matches in the ongoing cycle.

In contrast, Australia, who had previously held the leading position in the WTC standings, fell to second place following this match, now possessing a PCT of 57.69 after securing eight wins out of 13 matches.

However, the win in Perth did not guarantee India a spot in the WTC final. To ensure their place in the final, the Indian team would need to win three out of the remaining four matches during their Australian tour.

A 5-0 clean sweep or a 4-1 victory in the series would provide them with the coveted ticket to the final. In case they fail to achieve these results, their fate will depend on the outcomes of other teams in the championship.

READ: Ivory Coast bundled for record lowest-ever total in men’s T20I against Nigeria

ICC World Test Championship Final schedule unveiled

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday revealed the dates for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, scheduled to be played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

The one-off Test be played between the top two sides on the WTC points table from 11th to 15th June 2025, with the 16th of June available as a reserve day.

Lord’s will host the WTC final for the first time as Southampton and The Oval served as the hosts for the 2021 and 2023 finals. New Zealand lifted the trophy in 2021, while Pat Cummins-led Australia won the tournament in 2023.

“This Ultimate Test is the culmination of two years of intense competition in the ICC World Test Championship, spanning 69 Test matches over 27 series played to decide the finalists,” the ICC stated in a press release.

“Fans from around the globe will have the opportunity to witness history in the making of a week-long celebration of the longest format of the game.

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“Tickets will be in high demand and fans are asked to register their interest to attend the unique sporting event of mental strength, stamina, technique and strategy.”

It’s worth noting that India are currently sitting at the top of the WTC points table with defending champions Australia following them closely.

However, there are still ample points up for grabs for teams, several contenders such as New Zealand (ranked third), Bangladesh (fourth), England (fifth), South Africa (sixth), and Sri Lanka (seventh) are still in the running for a spot in the final.

“The ICC World Test Championship Final has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar and we are pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 edition,” ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said.

“It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Test cricket, which continues to captivate fans around the world. Tickets will be in high demand so I would encourage fans to register their interest now to ensure they are in with a chance of attending the Ultimate Test next year.”

READ: Bangladesh complete historic series sweep against Pakistan

Sri Lanka pip Pakistan in WTC25 standings with Bangladesh series sweep

DUBAI: Sri Lanka moved past Pakistan in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a clean sweep victory over Bangladesh in the two-match series, concluded earlier on Wednesday.

As per the latest World Test Championship standings, Sri Lanka moved up to fourth place only behind India (first), Australia (second) and New Zealand (third).

Sri Lanka have enhanced their chances of qualifying for next year’s ICC World Test Championship final with a thumping 192-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Chittagong.

The Island nation wrapped up the win in the opening session of the fifth day of the final second of the two-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and clinched a comfortable 2-0 series sweep.

Sri Lanka still has two home series left in this cycle; they are slated to play two Tests at home against New Zealand later this year and a two-match series against Australia in early 2025.

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Their next assignment, however, is a three-match away series against England, commencing in August.

Sri Lanka dominated the majority of their recently-concluded away series with Kamindu Mendis finishing the series as the top run-scorer with 367 runs at an impressive average of 122.33.

Mendis scored an unbeaten 92 in the first innings of the second Test as Sri Lanka amassed a whopping total of 531. Their bowlers promptly backed their efforts by dismissing Bangladesh for a meagre 178 runs in reply.

On the contrary, hosts Bangladesh dropped to equal seventh on the updated World Test Championship standings, with their next series coming in Pakistan later this year when they travel for two Test matches.

READ: Marais Erasmus opens up on 2019 World Cup final umpiring error

Australia confirm World Test Championship final spot

DUBAI: Following their comprehensive win by nine wickets in the third Test against India, Australia secured their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, scheduled from June 7 to 11 at the Oval, London.

Australia won 11 out of the 18 Tests played during the 2021-23 WTC cycle and became the first team to qualify for the final with a competition still wide open for the second spot.

The visitors bounced back forcefully in the third Test and made India taste their own medicine as they sealed the victory in just three days on the back of a phenomenal spin attack.

Australia folded India for 109 on day one with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann leading the charge with five wickets. In reply, they made a solid start before collapsing to 197 all out before lunch on day two with their last six wickets tumbling for just 11 runs.

Eight wickets for spinner Nathan Lyon saw India bundled out for 163 in their second innings, setting up a victory target of 76 which they chased easily for the loss of opener Usman Khawaja on day three.

“That victory has helped Australia amass an impressive 68.52 of their possible WTC points,” said International Cricket Council in a media release on Friday, adding, “They will finish the current period in first place on the World Test Championship standings regardless of the result in the final Test of their ongoing series against India.”

India, who are still second on the standings with 60.29 points, will seal the WTC final spot if they win the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. However, another defeat or a draw will leave their chances dependent on the remaining fixtures of the outgoing cycle.

“Sri Lanka have two Tests to play away from home against New Zealand this month and know they have to complete a 2-0 series sweep over the Kiwis to have any chance of snatching a spot in the WTC Final,” ICC added.

Remaining ICC World Test Championship Fixtures

South Africa v West Indies (Second Test) – Johannesburg, South Africa, 8-12 March
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (First Test) – Christchurch, New Zealand, 9-13 March
India v Australia (Fourth Test) – Ahmedabad, India, 9-13 March
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Second Test) – Wellington, New Zealand, 17-21 March

READ: Tests in Pakistan ‘boring’, says Rohit after India lost inside three days

Pakistan slip to No.6 in WTC standings after England series defeat

DUBAI: The disappointing outcome of the Multan Test which cost Pakistan a 2-0 series loss against England, also took a heavy toll on Pakistan’s aspirations to play the 2021-2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Prior to the series, Pakistan had a decent chance of earning one of the top two slots in the WTC standings, but back-to-back defeats in the first two games slipped Pakistan to no.6 on the table.

With a percentage of 42.42 after the recent defeats, Pakistan’s Test Championship run is virtually over. In addition to winning the final Test against Pakistan, they must also defeat New Zealand when they visit Pakistan next month and still hope that other outcomes in the championship go their way.

Australia are currently sitting at the top of the WTC table with 75 PCT and it will be nearly impossible to displace them from the top position. Meanwhile, South Africa also seem firm on no. 2 with 60 PCT but has a crucial away series in Australia which will decide their fate.

England, on the other hand, with very little to no chances to play the Test Championship final has jumped ahead of Pakistan in the standings with Sri Lanka and India on third and fourth, respectively.

New Zealand are the reigning World Test Champions after they beat India in the WTC final in Southhampton in 2021.

READ: PAK v ENG: PCB puts tickets on sale for final Test in Karachi

Sri Lanka reclaim third spot as Pakistan slip to fifth in WTC standings

DUBAI: Sri Lanka have replaced Pakistan to regain the third spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings following their remarkable 246-run victory over the national team in the second Test at Galle on Thursday.

According to International Cricket Council’s (ICC) latest released WTC standings, Sri Lanka improved its position in the table to bolster its chances of appearing in the next year’s World Test Championship final between the top two teams in the standings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan slipped two places to fifth position from third after the crushing defeat in the second Test.

Following their incredible four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test, Pakistan had earlier clinched the third spot.

The recent reshuffle in the WTC standings also witnessed West Indies dropping one spot to the sixth while India maintained its fourth position.

Whereas, South Africa continue to top the standings followed by Australia sitting in the second spot.

READ: Sri Lanka trounce Pakistan by 246 runs in second Test to level series 1-1