South Africa (Commonwealth) South Africa advanced to the World Test Championship finals for the first time after defeating Pakistan in the opening Test at Centurion on Sunday.
The International Cricket Council posted on X after South Africa’s victory, saying, “𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙎𝙏 𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙏 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙈𝙀𝘿. South Africa is going to the #WTC25 Final at Lord’s.
With this victory, South Africa now leads the nine top cricket-playing countries with the highest Points Percentage System (PCT) of 66.67. South Africa has won seven of the eleven Test matches played in the WTC cycle, lost three, and drawn one.
Australia comes in second with a PCT of 58.89. During the current WTC cycle, the Oz participated in 15 games, winning nine of them, losing four, and drawing two. India comes in third place with a PCT of 55.88. They participated in 17 Test matches, winning nine, losing six, and drawing two.
India and Australia, the reigning champions, are now competing to see who will play South Africa in the WTC finals at Lord’s. The fifth Test match between Australia and India as part of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 will be determined by the series for the second finalist for the WTC 2025.
Australia comes in second with a PCT of 58.89. During the current WTC cycle, the Oz participated in 15 games, winning nine of them, losing four, and drawing two. This win makes South Africa the first finalist, and they will play the second team at Lord’s on June 11, 2025.
Australia, with a PCT of 58.89 and 106 points overall, comes in second. During the current WTC cycle, the Oz participated in 15 games, winning nine of them, losing four, and drawing two. India is in third place with 114 points and a PCT of 55.88. They participated in 17 Test matches, winning nine, losing six, and drawing two.
What are the requirements for Australia and India to get to the WTC Final?
After the Test tie in Brisbane, Rohit Sharma‘s Team India’s points percentage dropped from 57.29 to 55.88. The WTC standings currently separate Australia and India by eight points. Australia will have three games remaining, two against Sri Lanka and one against India, whereas India will only have one match remaining following the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
India would finish their WTC cycle with 126 points and a 55.26 PCT if they win the MCG Test but draw the series 2-2 with Australia’s victory in Sydney. Conversely, if Australia draws the series or wins at least one Test match in Sri Lanka, they can advance to the finals.
In the second scenario, India will finish the cycle on 130 points with a PCT of 57.01 if they are able to win the Sydney test and draw the MCG test. In order to advance to the WTC final, Australia will then need to defeat Sri Lanka 2-0.
According to a third scenario, India would end the cycle with 122 points and a 53.50 PCT if they were able to tie both Test matches against Australia in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia will need to defeat Sri Lanka at least once in order to advance to the WTC finals.
As a result, Australia and India, who are vying for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, are under more strain. For both teams to go to the WTC final, they must now play flawlessly. A rematch of the WTC 2023 final between India and Australia is no longer feasible after South Africa defeated Pakistan in the opening Test match.
Following the Drew Test in Brisbane, India’s PCT is 55.88. They now sit third in the WTC rankings, behind Australia and South Africa. With three games left, Australia is in second place with a PCT of 58.89. Two are against Sri Lanka, and one is against India.
As the WTC cycle approaches its conclusion, everyone’s attention is focused on the upcoming India-Australia Test in Melbourne. The conclusion of the match, which is in its fifth and final day, will determine both teams’ chances of making it to the WTC final.
