New Delhi: South Africa completed a 2-0 sweep of Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series at home and climbed to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The Proteas displaced Australia from the top and inched closer to the World Test Championship 2023-25 final set to be played at the Lord’s next year. South Africa’s 109-run win over the Lankan Lions in the second Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha have boosted their percentile to 63.33.
The Proteas only need a single win in their upcoming two-match home Test series against Pakistan.
With their sixth win from 10 Tests, the Proteas overook Pat Cummins’ Australia, who are second with a win percentage of 60.71. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led India dropped to third with nine wins from 16 Tests and a win percentage of 57.29.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remained in the fourth position with a win percentage of 45.45 above England’s 45.24.
Updated WTC points table after South Africa’s win over Sri Lanka in second Test
Rank
Teams
Matches
Wins
Losses
Draw
Points
PCT
1.
South Africa
10
6
3
1
76
63.33
2.
Australia
14
9
4
1
102
60.71
3.
India
16
9
6
1
110
57.29
4.
Sri Lanka
11
5
6
0
60
45.45
5.
England
21
11
9
1
114
45.24
6.
New Zealand
13
6
7
0
69
44.23
7.
Pakistan
10
4
6
0
40
33.33
8.
Bangladesh
12
4
8
0
45
31.25
9.
West Indies
11
2
7
2
32
24.24
India’s road to WTC final gets even tougher
India, who were sitting comfortably atop the WTC standing after the series win against Bangladesh in October, find themselves in a perilous position after the whitewash at home against New Zealand, the second Test loss in Australia at the Adelaide Oval and now South Africa’s win in the second Test against Sri Lanka has made their road to WTC final even tougher.
Following South Africa’s win at St George’s Park, India must beat Australia in remaining three Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to clinch the series 4-1. Only in this scenario, India will be able to consolidate their place in the WTC final with a win percentage of 63.15.
Rohit’s men can also finish above Australia with two wins and a draw, after South Africa’s win over the Islanders.
However, if they slump to a loss in even one of the three Tests, their win percentage will drop to 57.89 and their only hope of qualifying in the WTC final will be dependent on the results of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
If India lose one Test in the ongoing series, they will hope that Pakistan beat South Africa 2-0 and Sri Lanka sweep Australia at home, win one Test or both Tests end in a draw.n
World Test Championship final scenario: How can India still qualify for the WTC final after South Africa jumped to the top of the standings with a commanding win over Sri Lanka in the second Test. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
