New Zealand close to the World Test Championship final
New Zealand’s recent victory over the West Indies has boosted their aspirations of reaching the final of the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC), which will be held at Lord’s in June 2021. New Zealand was on the verge of reaching the top spot in the test rankings. It is only 0.086 points behind Australia, after its victory in Wellington. The excitement was not without moments of confusion. For several hours after the match, the ICC’s prediction tool placed New Zealand at the top, which generated some uncertainty. However, the ICC clarified in a tweet that Australia is in first place with 116.461 rating points, while New Zealand has 116.375. Australia could consolidate its leadership position if it wins the home series against India. On the other hand, the two victories over the West Indies gave New Zealand 300 WTC points from four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If they repeat the 2-0 result against Pakistan, they will finish with 420 points from five series. This will leave India needing five wins, or four wins and three draws, from their last eight test matches (away against Australia and at home against England) to deny New Zealand a place in the WTC final. In a world without a pandemic, New Zealand would also have had to earn points in a series in Bangladesh, but because some series could not be played, the ICC had to change the criteria for ranking from absolute points to a percentage of points played, or, in other words, points per series played. Currently, Australia leads the WTC table, with 82.2% of the points won. If they manage a 2-2 draw against India, they will still lead the table with a percentage of 74.17%, but if they lose 1-2, their percentage will fall to 70%. Australia also has a three-match test series scheduled in South Africa. If New Zealand wins its two test matches against Pakistan, it will finish with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points played.When India, currently with 360 points from four series played, finishes its series against Australia and England, it will have played six series or 720 points. They will need to surpass 504 points to exceed New Zealand’s score of 84 points per series or 70% of the points played. Each of their remaining test victories will now be worth 30 points, and draws will earn them 10 points. Five victories or four victories and three draws will leave them ahead of New Zealand.
As for the ranking, depending on how the India vs. Australia series and the New Zealand vs. Pakistan series go, Australia could consolidate its lead at number 1 or cede ground to New Zealand.
