New Zealand Advances to the World Test Championship Final
The recent victory of New Zealand over the West Indies has strengthened their aspirations to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will take place in June 2021 at Lord’s. New Zealand was on the verge of reaching the top spot in the Test rankings. They were only 0.086 points behind Australia, after their victory in Wellington. New Zealand’s victory in the series generated some confusion, as the ICC’s prediction tool initially placed them at the top of the table. However, the ICC clarified 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 home series against India. For their part, New Zealand’s two victories over the West Indies gave them 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 would mean that India would need five wins, or four wins and three draws, in 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 classification criteria, moving from absolute points 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 still lead with a percentage of 74.17%. If they lose 1-2, their percentage will fall to 70%.If New Zealand wins both matches against Pakistan, they will finish with 84 points per series played or 70% of the points played.
Once India completes 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 remaining Test victory will 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 and New Zealand vs. Pakistan series turn out, Australia could extend its lead in first place or concede ground to New Zealand.
