In the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 cycle, the top two teams on the points table at the end of the league stage qualify for the WTC Final. The qualification scenario relies on the Points Percentage (PCT), calculated as points won divided by points contested. Here’s a breakdown of the qualification scenario for teams:
Here’s how points table it looks for the top contenders:
Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
1 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 90 | 62.500 |
2 | India | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 58.330 |
3 | Sri-Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 55.560 |
4 | New-Zeland | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 54.550 |
5 | South-Africa | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 54.170 |
6 | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 93 | 40.790 |
7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 33.330 |
8 | Bangladesh | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 27.500 |
9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.520 |
- Australia: Currently leading the points table, Australia has a solid chance to qualify if they win at least four of their remaining seven matches (five against India at home and two against Sri Lanka away) .
- India: Second in the standings, India needs to win at least three out of their five matches in the upcoming series against Australia to maintain their place in the top two. They face a challenging away series, which could be pivotal.
- Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka can qualify by winning three of their four remaining matches (two each against South Africa and Australia), which would boost their percentage points. However, they also depend on Australia and India dropping points.
- South Africa: With four home matches left against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, South Africa must win all four to secure a high enough percentage, which could likely guarantee them a spot in the final.
- New Zealand: Although New Zealand has fewer chances, a clean sweep in their three matches against England would increase their points percentage. However, this still requires favourable results from other teams to secure a spot.
With the race tightening, Australia and India are in the strongest positions, while Sri Lanka and South Africa will need near-perfect performances to make it to the WTC Final at Lord’s in 2025.