The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is nearing its exciting conclusion. Only 10 series and 26 Tests are left, and the battle for the top spots is fierce. These spots guarantee a place in the eagerly-awaited final. India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa are among the teams to watch, yet the cricket thrill is far from over. Who knows what surprises await? Now, let’s take a closer look at the team standings and their prospects in the remaining part of the ICC World Test Championship.
India in Pole Position
Percentage Points: 74.24% | Series Remaining: New Zealand (three home), Australia (five away)
India sits atop the WTC rankings after a standout victory over New Zealand in Kanpur. Three home matches against the Kiwis, coupled with an upcoming five-game clash with Australia, paves India’s clear road to the final. An all-out victory in the upcoming eight games would rocket their standing to an impressive 85.09%. Yet, scoring four wins with two ties can reasonably lift them to 67.54%, a score sufficient for qualification, even if Australia or South Africa triumph in most of their games. If India doesn’t meet these marks and loses even two games, they risk losing their final slot, making way for Australia, South Africa, or Sri Lanka to push ahead.
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Sri Lanka Making a Strong Push
Percentage Points: 55.56% | Series Remaining: South Africa (two away), Australia (two home)
When it comes to the ICC World Test Championship final, don’t count out Sri Lanka. They’re the surprise element, thanks to a flawless run in their last two Tests. Now, a crucial challenge awaits. South Africa and Australia – both strong contenders – are up next. Winning all four remaining Tests means Sri Lanka finishes with a 69.23% score. This ensures their final spot. Even with three wins, there’s hope with a 61.54% score. Yet, it depends on other results too. The outcomes are pivotal. Sri Lanka’s victories could dampen South Africa and Australia’s chances. All eyes are on the impending series!
Australia: Aiming for the Top Two
Percentage Points: 62.50% | Series Remaining: India (five away), Sri Lanka (two away)
Australia holds the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship ranks right now. They still have demanding games against India and Sri Lanka, however. Any victory in all seven of these Tests would land them a final 76.32% finish. It’s a score that would almost, for sure, let them into the final match. If they get five wins from the remaining Tests, Australia stands at 65.79%. That’s enough to keep them in the game, but India and South Africa could still pose risks. We’ll get a better picture of Australia’s chances after their India series. They must secure at least a handful of wins to keep up the fight.
South Africa: Keeping Their Hopes Alive
Percentage Points: 38.89% | Series Remaining: Sri Lanka (two home), Pakistan (two home), Bangladesh (two away)
South Africa still has a shot at the ICC World Test Championship finale. They have a tough road ahead. If they take all six of the next Tests, they’ll reach an impressive 69.44% – likely enough for a top-two spot. But, one loss could drop them to a precarious 61.11%, making them dependent on others’ results to qualify. Their upcoming series is potentially manageable. They’ll play at home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan and travel for a series against Bangladesh. A steady winning streak might just give South Africa the boost they need to aim for the final.
New Zealand and Bangladesh: Long Shots for Qualification
New Zealand
Percentage Points: 37.50% | Series Remaining: India (three away), England (three home)
It’s looking tricky for New Zealand to get to the ICC World Test Championship final. Even punching out victories in their six remaining Tests only boosts their percentage to 64.29%. That’s a tough number to bank on. With a challenging match series on India’s turf and three home Tests versus England, New Zealand needs to pull a rabbit out of their hat in terms of performance to keep their dreams alive.
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Bangladesh
Percentage Points: 34.38% | Series Remaining: West Indies (two away), South Africa (two home)
Bangladesh’s odds of reaching the finals have dimmed after suffering two total losses to India. Despite the possibility of victory in their four upcoming Tests, their maximum attainable percentage is 56.25%. This achievement doesn’t hold high promise for snagging one of the coveted top-two placements.
Conclusion: The Final Push
Only 10 series remain in this ICC World Test Championship cycle, making the fight for the top spots more tense. India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa all could qualify for the final. Yet, other teams may infiltrate if the frontrunners stumble. The race heats up in the coming months as teams vie for a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Keep following for new info and skilled critiques during this exciting race to the end line.
