New Zealand close to the World Test Championship final
The recent victory of New Zealand over the West Indies gives them a solid chance of reaching the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will be played in June 2021 at Lord’s. New Zealand came close to reaching the number 1 spot in the Test ranking, placing just 0.086 points behind Australia. This comes after their victory in Wellington.However, there was a moment of confusion. For several hours after the match, the ICC’s prediction tool showed New Zealand at the top of the table. 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 extend their lead if they win the home series against India. For their part, New Zealand added 300 WTC points after 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 after five series. This would mean that India would need five wins, or four wins and three draws, in their last eight Test matches (away against Australia and at home against England) to prevent New Zealand from reaching the WTC final. Due to the current situation, the ICC had to modify the classification criteria, moving from absolute points to a percentage of points played. That is, points per series played. Australia currently leads the WTC table, with 82.2% of the points won. If they manage a 2-2 draw against India, they will still lead with a percentage of 74.17%, but if they lose 1-2, their percentage will decrease to 70. If New Zealand wins its two matches against Pakistan, it will finish with 84 points per series played, or 70% of the points played.When India completes its series against Australia and England, it will have played six series, totaling 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 be worth 30 points, and draws will earn them 10 points.
As for the rankings, depending on how the India vs. Australia and New Zealand vs. Pakistan series unfold, Australia could consolidate its lead in the number 1 position or cede ground to New Zealand.
