WTC Update

As the current World Test Championship cycle approaches its climax, the competition for the top two spots is heating up with 12 series (30 Tests) remaining. Historically, teams aim for a percentage score above 60% to secure a chance at the final, as evidenced by the finalists of the last cycle—Australia at 66.67% and India at 58.8%. Here’s a closer look at each team's standing and their qualification chances.

Sri Lanka

Current Percentage: 42.86

Remaining Matches: Two home Tests against New Zealand, two away Tests against South Africa, and two home Tests against Australia. 

The recent victory at The Oval keeps Sri Lanka's hopes alive for a top-two finish. Winning all six remaining matches would elevate their percentage to 69.23%, almost guaranteeing a spot in the final. Five wins would result in a percentage of 61.54%, keeping them competitive, with four of the six matches being at home.

England

Current Percentage: 42.19

Remaining Matches: Three away Tests against Pakistan and three away Tests against New Zealand. 

England's surprising loss to Sri Lanka at The Oval has dashed their chances of reaching 60%. The highest percentage they can now achieve is 57.95% with wins in all six remaining Tests, potentially keeping them in the running if other team results favour them. However, if they slip, even to five wins and a draw, their percentage would drop to 54.92%, necessitating even more favourable outcomes from rival teams.

India

Current Percentage: 68.52

Remaining Matches: Two home Tests against Bangladesh, three home Tests against New Zealand, and five away Tests against Australia. 

Leading the table, India has a solid percentage of 68.52 and the most matches left to play—ten in total. To maintain a percentage above 60%—they qualified for the 2023 final with 58.8%—they need to secure 63 more points, achievable through five wins and a draw. Seven wins would be required to match their current score.

Australia

Current Percentage: 62.50

Remaining Matches: Five home Tests against India and two away Tests against Sri Lanka. 

In second place, Australia needs 47 more points from their remaining seven Tests to stay above 60%. This can be accomplished with four wins or three wins and three draws. Their performance in the home series against India will play a crucial role in determining their final standing.

Bangladesh

Current Percentage: 45.83

Remaining Matches: Two away Tests against India, two away Tests against West Indies, and two home Tests against South Africa. 

Bangladesh's impressive 2-0 series win against Pakistan has boosted their standing to fourth in the points table. If they manage to clinch victory in all six of their remaining matches, their percentage could soar to 72.92%.

Pakistan

Current Percentage: 19.05

Remaining Matches: Three home Tests against England, two away Tests against South Africa, and two home Tests against West Indies. 

Pakistan suffered a setback with a 2-0 loss to Bangladesh, resulting in a significant drop in their percentage from 36.66 to 19.05. Their maximum attainable percentage stands at 59.52 if they win all seven of their remaining Tests.

New Zealand

Current Percentage: 50.00

Remaining Matches: Two away Tests against Sri Lanka, three away Tests against India, and three home Tests against England. 

New Zealand has played only six of their 14 scheduled Tests. To achieve a percentage above 60%, they must earn at least 65 points from the 96 available, a challenging task with three of their remaining matches in India.

South Africa

Current Percentage: 38.89

Remaining Matches: Two home Tests against Sri Lanka, two home Tests against Pakistan, and two away Tests against Bangladesh. 

If South Africa secures wins in all six upcoming tests, they could finish with a percentage of 69.44%, which would put them in strong contention for the final.

West Indies

Current Percentage: 18.52

Remaining Matches: Two home Tests against Bangladesh and two away Tests against Pakistan. 

Despite having played four series, the West Indies have only accumulated 20 points out of 108. Even a clean sweep of their last four Tests would only raise them to a percentage of 43.59%.