New Zealand Advances to the Final of the World Test Cricket Championship
New Zealand’s recent victory over the West Indies puts them in a favorable position to reach the final of the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC), which will be held at Lord’s in June 2021. After their triumph in Wellington, New Zealand is very close to the top spot in the Test rankings: only 0.086 points behind Australia. However, the situation generated some initial confusion, as the ICC’s prediction tool showed New Zealand at the top for several hours after the match. Subsequently, the ICC clarified that Australia maintains first place with 116.461 rating points, while New Zealand has 116.375. Australia will look to consolidate their lead in the home series against India. For their part, New Zealand’s two victories over the West Indies have earned them 300 WTC points in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If New Zealand repeats the 2-0 result against Pakistan, they will add 420 points from five series. This would mean that India would need five wins, or four wins and three draws, in their last eight matches (away against Australia and at home against England) to prevent New Zealand from reaching the WTC final at Lord’s. Due to the current situation, the ICC modified the classification criteria, moving from absolute points to a percentage of points played, that is, 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 maintain the lead with 74.17%, but if they lose 1-2, their percentage will drop to 70.
New Zealand, if they win their two matches against Pakistan, will finish with 84 points per series played, or 70% of the points contested. India, which currently has 360 points from four series played, will have played six series at the end of its matches against Australia and England, adding 720 points. To surpass New Zealand, they will need more than 504 points. Each victory in the remaining Tests will contribute 30 points, while draws will award 10 points. To surpass New Zealand, they will need five victories or four victories and three draws. Regarding the ranking, depending on the results of the India vs. Australia and New Zealand vs. Pakistan series, Australia could consolidate its lead or cede ground to New Zealand.
