New Zealand's cricket team ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings, following an impressive 281-run victory against South Africa. The win, secured in the first Test at Mount Maunganui, not only reinforced New Zealand's ambition for a second appearance in the WTC final but also demonstrated their cricketing prowess. As the victors of the inaugural WTC, New Zealand delivered a comprehensive performance against South Africa, boosting their rankings with a notable points percentage of 66.66 percent.
This significant victory propelled New Zealand past former WTC finalists, India and Australia, positioning them at the forefront of the current championship cycle. Despite participating in just three Test matches in the ongoing cycle, New Zealand's outstanding achievements - including a series draw with Bangladesh and a convincing win over South Africa - highlight their supremacy in Test cricket.
The conclusion of this match saw Australia move to second place in the standings, with India following in third. Meanwhile, South Africa's loss resulted in their fall to seventh place, behind Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the West Indies in the WTC rankings.
World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standing:
| Team | Matches | Win | Loss | Draw | Points | Percent |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 66.66 |
| Australia | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 55.00 |
| India | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 38 | 52.77 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 |
| West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 33.33 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 33.33 |
| England | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 25.00 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra star in New Zealand's win
New Zealand's success was underpinned by captain Kane Williamson's exceptional performance, achieving twin centuries, and Rachin Ravindra's monumental double century, setting a formidable lead by Day 3. The fourth day witnessed New Zealand's pace attack, led by Kyle Jamieson, taking center stage at the Bay Oval. Jamieson's pivotal wickets after lunch significantly hindered South Africa's pursuit of the target.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand's leading spinner, further contributed to the team's triumph by dismissing the remaining South African batsmen, concluding their innings at 247 runs. This victory not only marks a milestone for New Zealand in the WTC but also solidifies their status as a dominant force in Test cricket.
New Zealand's rise to the top of the WTC standings underscores their consistent performance and strategic prowess on the field. As they look forward to maintaining their lead, the team's focus remains on upcoming matches in the championship, with an eye on securing their position for the WTC final.
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NZ vs SA: Kane Williamson's twin centuries, Rachin Ravindra's double ton powers New Zealand to 281-run win over South Africa in 1st Test
