WTC: Sri Lanka defeat NZ, climb to 3rd spot
Sri Lanka recorded a massive innings win over New Zealand in the second Test at Galle, sealing the series 2-0. This marked their fifth win in nine matches of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. This win has pushed them into third place in the WTC standings. Meanwhile, New Zealand's position has dropped from fourth to seventh place. Here we decode the table.
How did the game pan out?
Sri Lanka had three centurions in the form of Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Mendis in their first innings score of 602/5d. NZ were asked to follow on as they managed just 88/10 in their first outing. Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed six batters. Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner scored fiftes in NZ's second outing. However, they were eventually dismissed for 360.
WTC standings: Sri Lanka and New Zealand's positions
This victory marked Sri Lanka's fifth win in the current cycle, boosting their points percentage (PCT) to 55.56%. The third-placed SL also own four defeats. On the other hand, New Zealand have suffered their fifth loss in eight matches of WTC 2023-25, causing their PCT to drop to 37.50%. They are now seventh in the table with three wins.
India continue to lead
India, who recently beat Bangladesh in the first Test, continue to lead the table with a PCT of 71.67%. They have won seven of their 10 matches in the current cycle (L2, D1). The defeat impacted Bangladesh's standing in the WTC 2023-25 points table. They now hold the fifth place. They now hold a PCT of 39.29%, having won three and lost four games.
Australia trail behind India in WTC standings
Australia retain their second spot with a 62.50 points percentage. They have recorded eight wins, three defeats, and a solitary draw. England own the fourth spot, having attained points percentage of 42.19. They have won eight of their 16 Tests as of now (L7, D1). Notably, NZ held the third place while SL were at fourth prior to the series against SL.
What about the other teams?
South Africa, who beat West Indies 1-0 in their recent away Test series, are seventh in the standings. They have 28 points and a PCT of 38.89 %, having recorded two wins and three defeats (Draw: 1). WI continue at the ninth and last spot with 20 points and a PCT of 18.52 % (W1, D2, L6). Pakistan are at the eighth place with two wins and five defeats (PCT: 19.05%).
WTC standings: A look at points system
As has been the case, the ICC WTC standings are determined by the percentage of points earned. There are 12 points available for each win in the WTC. Four points are awarded to each team for a draw, with the teams earning six for a tie. A loss leads to no point deduction, while teams can lose points because of slow over-rates.
