New Zealand Advances to the World Test Championship Final
The recent victory of New Zealand over the West Indies positions them favorably to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), which will be held at Lord’s in June 2021.Following their triumph in Wellington, New Zealand is very close to the top spot in the Test rankings. Currently, they are only 0.086 points behind Australia.
The excitement and anticipation surrounded the end of the match, with the ICC predictor initially showing New Zealand at the top of the table, which caused some confusion. However, the ICC clarified in a tweet that Australia is in first place with 116.461 rating points, while New Zealand has 116.375. Australia could consolidate its leadership position if it wins the home series against India. On the other hand, New Zealand’s two victories against the West Indies earned them 300 WTC points, accumulated in four series during the current cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If New Zealand repeats the 2-0 result against Pakistan in their next series, they will accumulate 420 points in five series. This would require India 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 at Lord’s. In a world without a pandemic, New Zealand would also have had to score points in a series in Bangladesh. However, due to the impossibility of playing some series, the ICC modified the qualification 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 points won. If they manage a 2-2 draw against India, they will maintain the 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, they will finish with 84 points per series played, which is equivalent to 70% of the points played for. 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 consolidate its lead at number 1 or concede ground to New Zealand.
