New Zealand Advances to the Final of the World Test Cricket Championship
New Zealand’s recent victory over the West Indies has boosted their aspirations of reaching the final of the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC), which will be held in June 2021 at Lord’s.
New Zealand moved a step closer to the top of the Test rankings, being only 0.086 points behind Australia after their victory in Wellington.
The situation generated some confusion, as the ICC’s prediction tool initially showed New Zealand at the top. However, the ICC clarified in a tweet that Australia remains in first place with 116.461 rating points, while New Zealand has 116.375.
Australia could consolidate its lead in the series at home against India. For its part, New Zealand added 300 WTC points after four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If they repeat the 2-0 result against Pakistan, they will reach 420 points.
This would mean that India would need five wins, or four wins and three draws, in their last eight Test matches to deny New Zealand a place in the WTC final.
Due to the pandemic, the ICC modified the classification criteria, shifting from absolute points to a percentage of points disputed, that is, points per series played.
Australia currently leads the WTC table with 82.2% of the points won. If they draw 2-2 against India, they will maintain the lead with 74.17%. If they lose 1-2, their percentage will fall to 70%.
If New Zealand wins its two matches against Pakistan, it will finish with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points disputed.
India, with 360 points after four series, will need to surpass 504 points to exceed New Zealand’s score of 84 points per series or 70% of the points played. Each victory in the remaining Tests will be worth 30 points, and draws, 10 points. Five victories or four victories and three draws would ensure they surpass New Zealand.
As for the rankings, depending on the results of the India vs. Australia and New Zealand vs. Pakistan series, Australia could extend its lead at number 1 or concede ground to New Zealand.
