New Zealand advances to the final of the World Test Cricket Championship
The recent victory of New Zealand over the West Indies gives them a solid chance of reaching the final of the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC), scheduled for June 2021 at Lord’s. New Zealand was on the verge of reaching the top spot in the Test Cricket rankings, finishing just 0.086 points behind Australia after their victory in Wellington. However, the news was accompanied by some confusion. For several hours after the match, the ICC’s prediction tool showed New Zealand at the top of the table, but this was later corrected, confirming Australia in first place with 116.461 points, while New Zealand has 116.375. Australia could increase their lead if they win the home series against India. For their part, New Zealand’s two victories against the West Indies earned them 300 points in the WTC, coming from four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If New Zealand repeats the 2-0 result against Pakistan later, it will finish with 420 points from 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 deny New Zealand a place in the WTC final.Under normal circumstances, New Zealand would also have had to add points in a series in Bangladesh. Due to the current situation, the ICC modified the classification criteria, switching from absolute points to a percentage of points played, i.e. 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. 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 both Test matches against Pakistan, it will finish with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points at stake.When India completes 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 be worth 30 points, and draws will earn them 10 points.
Regarding the rankings, depending on how the India vs. Australia and New Zealand vs. Pakistan series unfold, Australia could extend its lead at number 1 or concede ground to New Zealand.
