The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 has seen some significant shifts in the points table following the recent Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka’s emphatic victory over New Zealand has not only secured them a series win but also brought them closer to Australia in the WTC standings. Let’s delve into the details of this update and its implications for the teams involved.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, continues to lead the WTC points table with a PCT of 71.67%. However, their position could be affected if the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur ends in a draw. The Indian team, having been runners-up in the previous two editions, will be keen to maintain their lead.
Sri Lanka showcased a dominant performance in the second Test against New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium, winning by an innings and 154 runs. This victory secured a 2-0 series win for Sri Lanka. The match saw debutant Nishan Peiris shine with the ball, picking up six wickets for 170 runs in the second innings, helping dismiss New Zealand for 360 runs in 81.4 overs. Glenn Phillips top-scored for the Kiwis with 78 runs from 99 balls, while Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, and Mitchell Santner also contributed with half-centuries.
The victory has propelled Sri Lanka to third place in the WTC 2023-25 points table with a PCT (Percentage of Points) of 55.56%. This puts them in close contention with Australia, who are in second place with a PCT of 62.50%. The defending champions, Australia, will now feel the pressure as Sri Lanka narrows the gap.
New Zealand’s back-to-back defeats against Sri Lanka have seen them drop to the seventh position in the WTC points table with a PCT of 37.50%. The inaugural WTC winners now face a challenging road ahead as they prepare to travel to India for a three-match Test series next month. A poor performance in this series could see them knocked out of the race to qualify for the WTC final at Lord’s next year.
The first Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from October 16 to 20. The second Test will be held at Pune’s MCA Stadium from October 25, and the third Test will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1 to 5.
Following the New Zealand series, India will travel to Australia for a five-match Test series. The 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to start on November 22 in Perth. This series will be crucial for both teams as they aim to secure their positions in the WTC points table.
ri Lanka’s impressive performance has brought them closer to Australia, while New Zealand’s struggles have seen them slip down the rankings. With several key series coming up, including India’s fixtures against New Zealand and Australia, the race for the WTC final is heating up. Fans can look forward to more thrilling Test cricket as teams battle it out for a spot in the prestigious final at Lord’s.
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