Australia remain at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table, despite facing a dramatic defeat at the hands of West Indies in the second Test at Gabba on January 25. The second Test between Australia and West Indies was nothing short of a thriller. West Indies displayed exceptional skill turn the match around and beat Australia by eight runs, thanks to Shamar Joseph's career-defining seven-fer. Yet, the result of the match did not impact Australia's spot in the the WTC points table.
The Australia versus West Indies' second Test has been the highlight of 2024 to date. West Indies, batting first, scored 311 in their first innings. Australia replied with 289/9 (declared) in their first innings. West Indies were then dismissed for 192 in their second innings, setting Australia a target of 216 runs.
Initially, it seemed Australia will easily overhaul the target, but Shamar Joseph's extraordinary bowling on Day 4 turned the tide, leading West Indies to an impressive win. Joseph's seven-wicket haul made the difference in the match.
Talking about the WTC 2023-2025 points table, Bangladesh occupy the bottom spot with a win percentage of zero in the standings, having lost both of their games. Despite a 1-1 draw against Australia, West Indies remain in eights place. England sit on seventh place with a PCT (Percentage of points) of 15.0. The outcome of the ongoing first Test between India and England will influence their win percentage. Meanwhile, India currently occupy the second spot in the WTC standings.
Previously, West Indies were placed at the seventh place with a win percentage of 11.1, having achieved just one victory, two losses, and a draw in four matches. Pakistan hold the sixth position with a win percentage of 36.66, winning two and losing three of their five games. Their last Test series resulted in a 3-0 defeat to Australia.
Bangladesh is in fifth place, with a PCT (Percentage of points) of 50.0. The Asian team has won one and lost one of their two matches. New Zealand, also with a win percentage of 50.0, are in the fourth place, having won one and lost as many of their two matches. South Africa claim the third spot with the same win percentage of 50.0, following their 1-1 series tie against India. Notably, these three teams have each played only one series in the current ICC World Test Championship.
A look at the update ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 points table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT | Series | No Result |
| 1 | Australia | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 66.11 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | India | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 54.16 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 15.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 11.11 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11.0 | 1 | 0 |
Decoding WTC points table
Under the rules of the ICC World Test Championship for 2023-2025, teams earn 12 points for a win, 4 points for a draw, and 6 points in case of a tie. Meanwhile, for slow over-rates, teams will be penalised by losing one championship point for each over they fall short. The ranking of teams will be based on the percentage of points they have won.
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