New Zealand close to the World Test Championship final
After sweeping the series against the West Indies, New Zealand is in a favorable position to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will be played in June 2021 at Lord’s.
New Zealand was a step away from reaching the top spot in the Test rankings, being only 0.086 points behind Australia, after their innings victory in Wellington.
The situation generated some initial confusion, as the ICC’s prediction tool showed New Zealand at the top of the table for several hours after the match. 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 advantage if it wins the home series against India. For its part, the two victories over the West Indies have taken New Zealand to 300 WTC points from four series in the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021.
If New Zealand repeats the 2-0 result against Pakistan later in their summer, they will finish with 420 points from five series.
This will leave India needing to secure five wins, or four wins and three draws, in their last eight Test matches (away against Australia and at home against England) to prevent New Zealand from reaching the WTC final.
Due to the pandemic, the ICC had to modify the classification criteria, moving from absolute points to a percentage of points played. This means that points per series played are considered.
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%. If they lose 1-2, their percentage will fall to 70%.
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 give 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 unfold, Australia could extend its lead at number 1 or concede ground to New Zealand.
