The race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2024 final is heating up, with South Africa's emphatic win over Sri Lanka in the first Test has spiced up the scenario. The Proteas' 233-run win in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, has boosted their chances of qualifying for the final at Lord's Cricket Ground in 2025. Not just this South Africa's win in the series opener also came as a deterrent for India and Australia's WTC final chances, who must now maintain strong performances in the remaining four Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With a points percentage of 59.25, South Africa has solidified their position at the second spot in the WTC standings, pipping Australia to third, making their debut appearance in the final a real possibility.
South Africa's next challenge will be a two-Test series against Pakistan at home. If they can secure victories in their remaining three Tests, they will significantly strengthen their position to qualify for the WTC final.
Sri Lanka's defeat has resulted in their slip from the third to the fifth position in the WTC standings.
How has South Africa's win over Sri Lanka impacted India, Australia's WTC final chances?
India's path to the WTC final has become more challenging following South Africa's recent victory. To secure a direct qualification, India must win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a significant margin of 4-0 or 5-0.
Currently, India leads the WTC standings with a PCT of 61.11. However, Australia's recent defeat in Perth has slightly diminished their chances, dropping their PCT below 60. If India fails to achieve a 4-0 or 5-0 victory, their qualification for the WTC final will depend on the outcomes of other series.
Before India's recent series loss to New Zealand, many anticipated a rematch of the 2023 WTC final between India and Australia. However, with India's current form and South Africa's recent victory, this scenario seems less likely.
For India to secure a direct qualification to the 2025 WTC final, they must achieve a dominant 4-0 or 5-0 victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Such a result would significantly hinder Australia's chances of making it to the final. To stay in contention, Australia needs to turn the series around and deliver strong performances.
South Africa's victory over Sri Lanka has pushed Australia down to the third position in the WTC standings. Following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia will face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series.
Despite their 3-0 series win over India, New Zealand's chances of reaching the WTC final are diminishing. Their current performance in the first Test against England, where they are on the back foot, could further jeopardize their qualification hopes.
Meanwhile, England are currently on the verge of an imminent victory over New Zealand in the ongoing first Test match in Christchurch. A loss for New Zealand would result in their dropping below Sri Lanka in the WTC points table. While England have already been eliminated from the race for the WTC final.
Here's how the WTC 2023-2025 updated points table looks like:
| Rank | Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draw | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | India | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 110 | 61.11 |
| 2. | South Africa (+3) | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 59.25 |
| 3. | Australia (-1) | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 90 | 55.56 |
| 4. | New Zealand | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 72 | 54.55 |
| 5. | Sri Lanka (-2) | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 6. | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 93 | 40.79 |
| 7. | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8. | Bangladesh | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 27.50 |
| 9. | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 18.52 |
How the South Africa vs Sri Lanka's first Test unfolded?
Talking about the match, South Africa clinched a convincing 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Kingsmead.
Sri Lanka, who were handed a colossal target of 516 runs to win, were bowled out for 282 runs. Left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen, who had earlier dismantled Sri Lanka's first innings for a record-low 42 runs, continued his impressive performance, claiming four wickets for 73 runs in the second innings. He logged out of the match with a stunning bowling figures of 11 wickets for 86 runs.
