England's comprehensive 241-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Nottingham has significantly improved their position in the ICC World Test Championship standings. This win has lifted England from the bottom of the table to sixth place, overtaking South Africa, Bangladesh, and the West Indies. The win gives England a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final Test scheduled to start in Birmingham on Friday.
England leads the series 2-0 with one Test remaining. Shoaib Bashir claimed his third five-wicket haul, taking 5/41 in the second innings to dismiss West Indies for 143. England will host Sri Lanka for three Tests starting at the end of next month, followed by tours to Pakistan in October and New Zealand in November and December for a further three-match series.
The West Indies have seven remaining Tests in this period against England (one), South Africa (two), Bangladesh (two), and Pakistan (two).
Current ICC World Test Championship Standings:
1. India
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. Sri Lanka
5. Pakistan
6. England (up from the bottom)
7. South Africa
8. Bangladesh
9. West Indies
This victory not only boosts England's position but also keeps them in touch with the top teams in the World Test Championship. Ben Stokes' side will be aiming for a series sweep and to carry this momentum into their upcoming series.
The West Indies, on the other hand, have slipped to ninth place with a win-loss percentage of 22.22%. They will be hoping for a stronger performance in the final Test and their subsequent fixtures to climb up the standings.
The final match of the England-West Indies series will commence in Birmingham, with England naming an unchanged squad and the West Indies looking to bring back spinner Gudakesh Motie, who missed the second Test due to illness.