New Zealand Advances to the Final of the World Test Cricket Championship
New Zealand’s recent victory over the West Indies positions them favorably to reach the final of the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC), which will be held in June 2021 at Lord’s.
New Zealand almost reached the top spot in the Test rankings, finishing just 0.086 points behind Australia after their victory in Wellington.
The New Zealand team has accumulated 300 WTC points from four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If they achieve a similar result against Pakistan, they will accumulate 420 points from five series.
This situation forces India to achieve five victories, or four victories and three draws, in their last eight matches to deny New Zealand a place in the WTC final.
In a scenario without the complications of the pandemic, New Zealand would have had to score points in a series in Bangladesh. However, due to cancellations, the classification criteria were modified, shifting from absolute points to a percentage of points contested, that is, points per series played.
Currently, Australia leads the WTC table with 82.2% of the points won. If they draw 2-2 against India, they will still lead with 74.17%, but if they lose 1-2, their percentage will drop to 70%. Australia also has a three-match series scheduled against South Africa.
If New Zealand wins both matches against Pakistan, it will finish with 84 points per series played, or 70% of the points played.
India, currently with 360 points from four series played, will have played six series at the end of its matches against Australia and England. 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 remaining victory for India will be worth 30 points, and ties will earn them 10 points. Five victories or four victories and three ties will leave them ahead of New Zealand.
Regarding the ranking, depending on the results of India against Australia and New Zealand against Pakistan, Australia could consolidate its lead in first place or cede ground to New Zealand.
