Possible ICC World Test Championship Scenarios After The Postponement Of Australia-South Africa Test Series

With the three-match Test series between South Africa and Australia getting postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand- the No.1 ranked Test side in the world- has become the first team to qualify for the summit clash of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

New Zealand made it to the finals after having accumulated 420 points out of the contested 600. Their percentage points being exactly 70.

So, what does it mean for the other three possible contenders- India, Australia, and England? Who is better placed after the postponement of the South Africa vs England series?

Here’s a look at the possible scenarios:

 

India

With 430 points out of a contested 600 and a PCT of 71.7, the Virat Kohli-led India is perhaps best placed to make it to the finals of the ICC World Test Championship alongside New Zealand.

India will lock horns with England in a four-match Test series at home, starting February 05.

If India wins the rubber by a margin of 2-1, then it will be enough for them to qualify as in that case, their percentage points will be 69.4 which will be better than that of Australia (69.2) and England (62.7). Australia will hope that even if India wins the series, they win it by 1-0, as in that case, their PCT will be better than the Men in Blue (68) and England (61.3)

 

Australia

Australia would be ruing the fact that they lost 4 points due to slow over-rate in the recent series against India.

If Australia had not lost those four points, then they would have been locked at 70 percentage points with New Zealand, and they would have qualified as their Runs per wicket ratio (RPC) is better than that of their Trans-Tasman rivals.

Australia’s RPC is 1.39 while that of New Zealand is 1.28. So, with their Test series against South Africa canceled, the Aussies will now have to hope that England beats India by a margin of 2-1 or at least draw the rubber 1-1 or 2-2.

In the first case, Australia’s percentage points (69.2) will be better than that of India (65.2) and England (66.9).

While in the second and third cases too, Australia’s PTC (69.2) will be better than India (66.6, 68) and England (64.1, 65.5).

 

England

The Joe Root-led unit is currently placed at the 4th spot in the points table after having accumulated 412 points out of a contested 600 with their percentage points being 68.7.

For England to qualify, the scenario is simple. They have to ensure that they beat India by a margin of at least 3-1.

If they do that, then they will leapfrog both India (63.8) and Australia (69.2) as their PTC will shoot up to 69.7.