ICC Test Championship Maza
The race for the top two spots in the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) is heating up. India is currently leading the race, with 2023 champions Australia in second place. However, none of them are confirmed for the top spot as New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa can still replace them and book their tickets for the final showdown.
The 2023-25 WTC cycle began in June 2023, with England and Australia facing off in the Ashes series. It will end with the finals scheduled to take place at England’s iconic Lord’s in June 2025. The cycle consists of a total of 69 matches spread across 27 series, with each team playing three home and three away series.
According to the WTC points system, a match is worth 12 points. A team receives 12 points in case of a win, four points in case of a draw and six points in case of a tie. In addition, teams can also lose points as a penalty for a slow over rate. The top two teams with the highest points percentage at the end of the current cycle will meet in the final.
WTC points table cycle 2023-25
(Data in the table is as of August 21, 2024 at 15:00 IST)
1. India (74 points)
The Indian cricket team, with 74 points from nine matches, is currently at the top spot i.e. 68.51 percentage points. The two-time finalists are once again one of the favourites to finish on top, with their remaining two series out of three scheduled to take place in the Indian subcontinent. However, they will play their final series of the 2023-25 cycle against Australia in a five-match series away from home, which could prove to be a deciding factor for both teams in the final points table. India need to win at least six of the remaining 10 matches if they want to qualify for a third consecutive final.
Remaining matches
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Bangladesh tour of India (two Tests): September 19, 2023 to October 1, 2023 -
New Zealand tour of India (three Tests): October 16, 2023 to November 5, 2023 -
India tour of Australia (five Tests): November 22, 2023 to January 7, 2024
2. Australia (90 points)
The reigning champions, Australia, are currently at the second spot with 90 points from 12 matches, or 62.50 percentage points. While they currently enjoy a comfortable lead over their nearest opponent, they will have a big task ahead of them when they take on India for their final series of the current WTC cycle. Australia have lost two consecutive series at home against India, making the series all the more important. However, they will take confidence from the fact that it was India they defeated to win the WTC final in 2023, which will extend India’s ICC trophy drought.
Australia only needs to win the series against India to secure its second consecutive place in the WTC final.
Remaining matches
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India tour of Australia (five Tests): November 22, 2023 to January 7, 2024
3. New Zealand (36 points)
Inaugural WTC champions New Zealand are currently third in the table with 36 points from six matches, or 50 percentage points ahead. The Black Caps are perfectly capable of qualifying for the finals, with eight matches and 96 points still up for grabs. They face India and Sri Lanka in away ties before hosting England for a three-match home series to round off their WTC cycle for the 2023-25 cycle.
Remaining matches
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New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka (two Tests): September 18, 2023 to September 30, 2023 -
New Zealand tour of India (three Tests): October 16, 2023 to November 5, 2023 -
England tour of New Zealand (three tests): November 28, 2023 to December 18, 2023
4. Sri Lanka (24 points)
Sri Lanka Lions, with 24 points from four matches i.e. 50 percentage points, are currently fourth in the WTC 2023-25 points table. However, their fight for the final spot will be tough. Sri Lanka will face England, New Zealand and South Africa in their remaining matches and will need to win all the series to book their tickets to Lord’s in June 2025.
Remaining matches
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Sri Lanka tour of England (three Tests): August 21, 2023 to September 10, 2023 -
New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka (two Tests): September 18, 2023 to September 30, 2023 -
Sri Lanka tour of South Africa (two Tests): November 27, 2023 to December 9, 2023
5. South Africa (28 points)
The South African side, with 28 points from six matches or 38.89 percentage points, are currently fifth in the WTC 2023-25 points table. The Proteas started their campaign on the right foot by defeating India to record their first win of the cycle. However, they lost three and drew one Test before recording their second win of the season against the bottom-placed West Indies. They will need to win all four of their remaining matches if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Remaining matches
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Sri Lanka tour of South Africa (two Tests): November 27, 2023 to December 9, 2023 -
Pakistan tour of South Africa (two Tests): December 26, 2023 to January 7, 2024
First published: August 21, 2024 | 17:19 IS
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