New Delhi: Sri Lanka has gained massive upliftment in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after sweeping the two-match Test series against New Zealand 2-0 in Galle on Sunday. Sri Lanka has moved up to third position in the points table, boosting their chances for a spot in the WTC final next year.
Thanks to the dazzling knocks from Kamindu Mendis (182*), Dinesh Chandimal (116), and Kusal Mendis (106) powering the hosts to a mammoth score of 602 before they declared the first innings. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya continued to befuddle the opposition batters with his wily bowling options, picking up six wickets to enforce the Black Caps for a follow-on.
New Zealand resisted with Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner notching up half-centuries, but debutant Nishan Peiris spun the web around them as the second innings folded up for 360. Sri Lanka won the second Test by an innings and 154 runs.
Sri Lanka now have five wins and four defeats in the ongoing WTC cycle (2023-2025). The Dhananjaya de Silva-led side has accumulated 60 points along with a win percentage of 55.56. On the other hand, it is a downward sloping moment for New Zealand.
The Black Caps, who were third on the WTC table ahead of the Sri Lanka series, have slid to seventh spot after the drubbing in Galle. New Zealand account for 36 points with their win percentage dropping to 37.50 with three wins and five losses on the road.
Here’s a look at the updated WTC points table:
Position
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Draw
DED
Points
PCT
1
India
10
7
2
1
2
86
71.67
2
Australia
12
8
3
1
10
90
62.5
3
Sri Lanka
9
5
4
0
0
60
55.56
4
England
16
8
7
1
19
81
42.19
5
Bangladesh
7
3
4
0
3
33
39.29
6
South Africa
6
2
3
1
0
28
38.89
7
New Zealand
8
3
5
0
0
36
37.5
8
Pakistan
7
2
5
0
8
16
19.05
9
West Indies
9
1
6
2
0
20
18.52
India, Australia occupy top spots
India hold the top spot with a 71.67 win percentage in 10 matches while Australia are placed at second with 62.50%. India are currently playing Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur, though a result looks unlikely with consecutive days called off owing to poor weather and wet outfield.
India and Australia will play five Test matches from November 22, 2024, to January 7, 2025. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be crucial to decide the final standings for the WTC finals.
The World Test Championship points table has changed after the second Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka has moved up to third position in the points table, boosting their chances for a spot in the WTC final next year. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
