WTC Final 2021-23: Australia, India, Sri Lanka and South Africa qualification scenarios

Australia, with a 2-0 home series win over South Africa, has moved closer towards the final spot of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. Currently, Australia is placed at the top in the WTC points table with a 75.55 points percentage (PCT). On the other hand, India (58.93), Sri Lanka (53.93), and South Africa (48.71) are in the second, third and fourth positions, respectively.

The Kangaroos are yet to play a 4-match away series against India. Till now, they have played 15 matches; winning 10, losing one, while four ended in a draw.

Despite winning 2-0 against the Proteas in the three-match home series, there still exists a probability of Australia missing the final, as if in case they lose 0-4 against India and Sri Lanka wins both of their games versus New Zealand, Aussie’s won’t qualify and miss the opportunity to play at the finals. The least Australia needs to do is draw at least one test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next month, and that will take them through without depending on any other team.

India’s scenario:

Talking about India, with South Africa’s series loss at Sydney, India has managed to push itself back to the second spot in the points tally while the latter slipped to the fourth spot. A 3-0 win against Australia next month would be enough for India to go into the final.

Considering the worst scenario, India will be out of the finals race if they end 0-4 or 2-2 against Australia and Sri Lanka clean sweeps against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka’s scenario:

If third-placed Sri Lanka wants to reach the finals, they need to win both their away tests against New Zealand and India to end the series against the Aussies in a draw.

South Africa’s scenario:

Even after losing to Australia and being placed in the fourth position, The Proteas still have a chance to play in the finals. For South Africa to go to the Final, they need to win both their games against West Indies and Sri Lanka to get only one win against New Zealand, plus India to get fewer points than 21.

Apart from this, England and the West Indies, who are practically out of the race, still have a mathematical chance to reach the top two spots. Meanwhile, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh are already out of the final race.

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January 15, 2023 at 11:42AM