NZ beat SA: Decoding the 2021-23 World Test Championship table
New Zealand beat South Africa by an innings and 276 runs in the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The hosts won the match within three days. South Africa were bowled out for 95 and 111 runs respectively in their two innings. New Zealand hit 482 in their first innings. We decode the ICC World Test Championship table.
How did the first Test pan out?
Matt Henry's 7/23 ripped apart SA in the first innings. Henry extracted help from the surface and a few poor shots by the SA batters helped the cause. NZ rode on key partnerships in their innings as SA faded away. The likes of Neil Wagner (49), Henry Nicholls (105), Tom Blundell (96), and Henry (58*) made crucial contributions. Tim Southee's 5/35 helped NZ thereafter.
WTC table: Crucial points for New Zealand
New Zealand are placed sixth with 46.66 percentage points (PCT). They claimed 12 crucial points to have a tally of 28. PCT is calculated to govern the standings in the WTC. This is New Zealand's third Test series. They had lost against India 1-0 earlier before drawing 1-1 versus Bangladesh. They won their second Test match in the new WTC cycle.
The case of South Africa
The Proteas are playing their second Test series of the 2021-23 WTC cycle. Prior to this series, SA beat India 2-1 in the three-match series. Having played four Tests so far, SA have a win-loss record of 2-2. They have collected 50% PCT and are fourth in the standings. Overall, SA have a total of 24 points.
A look at the other teams
Sri Lanka top the WTC table, having won their only series. They have 100% PCT (two Tests). Australia have 86.66% PCT after having won The Ashes by a 4-0 margin. Pakistan are third with 75% PCT. They have played two Test series so far. India (49.07% PCT), Bangladesh (25% PCT), West Indies (25% PCT), and England (9.25% PCT) are the other sides.
