New Zealand close to the World Test Championship final
New Zealand’s recent whitewash over the West Indies has given them a real chance of reaching the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will be played in June 2021 at Lord’s. New Zealand was on the verge of reaching the top spot in the Test rankings, finishing just 0.086 points behind Australia, after their innings victory in Wellington. After the match, the ICC predictor showed New Zealand at the top of the table for several hours, which caused confusion in the cricket community. However, this was an error, as the ICC clarified in a tweet that Australia holds the first place with 116.461 ranking points, while New Zealand has 116.375. Australia could consolidate its lead if it wins the series at home against India, but the two victories over the West Indies brought New Zealand to 300 WTC points in four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If they repeat the 2-0 result against Pakistan later in their summer, 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 to be played at Lord’s in the English summer. 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 classification from absolute points to a percentage of points played, or in other words, points per series played. Australia currently tops the WTC table, with 82.2% of 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, they will finish with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points contested.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 give them 10 points. Five victories or four victories and three draws will put them ahead of New Zealand.
As for the rankings, depending on how the India vs. Australia series and the New Zealand vs. Pakistan series go, Australia could extend its lead at number 1 or concede ground to New Zealand.
