WTC FINAL SCENARIOS:
After a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurion, South Africa became the first team to advance to the WTC finals. Australia, India, and Sri Lanka are the three sides vying for the final slot to play at Lord’s next June alongside South Africa. Each of the three teams is vying to play in four of the remaining six Test matches in the cycle. This is the situation following Australia’s 184-run victory in the Boxing Day MCG Test.
India
After dominating the standings at the conclusion of the Tests against Bangladesh, India has been steadily losing ground and is currently in third place with 52.78 with one Test remaining. The leading two, who are both in a good position above 60, are now comfortably ahead of them. They are no longer in charge of their fortunes for the first time in this cycle as a result of the loss at MCG. They can only hope that Australia doesn’t win any Test matches in Sri Lanka and win at the SCG to reach 55.26.
Both India and Australia will be level at 55.26 if the score against Australia is 2-2 and both Test matches between Australia and Sri Lanka conclude in draws. India will advance since it has more series victories (three compared to Australia’s two). However, Australia would finish ahead of India’s 55.26 if they accumulate more than eight points in Sri Lanka (two draws equal eight points).
India’s dreams of making it to the finals for the third time in a row will be dashed if they lose or draw the last Test match in Australia.
Australia
Australia’s victory against India in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG has put them in a position to defend their title at Lord’s. Regardless of the two games in Sri Lanka, a victory at SCG next week will guarantee them a spot since it will raise their win % to 57, which is higher than both India and Sri Lanka can achieve.
Since Sri Lanka defeats Australia if they win 2-0 and reach 53.85, Australia will need at least a draw in Sri Lanka to advance if the SCG Test ends in a tie. Australia will need to defeat Sri Lanka at least once to overtake India’s 55.26 total if India retaliates at the SCG.
Sri Lanka
Regardless of the outcome of their series against Australia in February, Sri Lanka’s chances were seriously damaged by the series loss in South Africa, and a result at SCG would put an end to their hopes. Sri Lanka will only be able to place in the top two if they defeat Australia in both games and hope for a draw in the SCG Test. After that, Sri Lanka will finish at 53.85, Australia at 53.51, and India at 51.75.
Points table (as of Dec 26, 2024)
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 88 | 66.67 |
| Aus | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 118 | 61.46 |
| Ind | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 114 | 52.78 |
| NZ | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 81 | 48.21 |
| SL | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| Eng | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 114 | 43.18 |
| Ban | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| Pak | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 40 | 30.30 |
| WI | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 24.24 |
READ MORE:- AUSTRALIA DEFEATED INDIA BY 184 RUNS AND INCHING CLOSER TO WTC FINAL SPOT
