New Zealand Advances to the Final of the World Test Cricket Championship
New Zealand’s recent sweep over the West Indies has favorably positioned them to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will be played in June 2021 at Lord’s. New Zealand finished the series very close to the top spot in the Test rankings, just 0.086 points behind Australia, after their victory in Wellington. After the match, the ICC’s prediction tool showed New Zealand at the top, which caused confusion. However, the ICC clarified that Australia remains 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, the two victories over the West Indies gave New Zealand 300 WTC points from 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 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 at Lord’s. Due to the current situation, the ICC had to modify the absolute points classification criteria 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 continue to lead 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 both matches against Pakistan, it will end with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points disputed.When India 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 earn them 10 points. Five victories or four victories and three draws will put them ahead of New Zealand.
Regarding the rankings, depending on how the India vs. Australia series and the New Zealand vs. Pakistan series go, Australia could extend its lead in first place or concede ground to New Zealand.
