Last year’s finalists, India and Australia, currently occupy the top two spots in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings. But several other teams are firmly in contention for a place in the final of the event, often considered a World Cup of sorts in red-ball cricket.
The ongoing third edition of the World Test Championship began in June 2023 with The Ashes and will conclude in June 2025, with the final scheduled to be held at the iconic Lord’s in London. Except Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, all other full members of the ICC are participating in the WTC 2023-25. As of November 21, the top five teams on the points table stand a chance to make it to Lord’s next year, but the scenario could change drastically with the result of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, starting on November 22.
For starters, in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship, teams earn 12 points for a win, 4 points for a draw, and 6 points for a tie. The standings are determined using a points percentage system (PCT), calculated as – PCT = (Points earned / Total points available) × 100.
World Test Championship 2023-25 points table
| Ranking | Team | Matches | Won | Loss | Draw | Points | PCT |
| 1 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 90 | 62.50 |
| 2 | India | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 98 | 58.33 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 60 | 55.56 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 72 | 54.55 |
| 5 | South Africa | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 54.17 |
| 6 | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 93 | 40.79 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 27.50 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 18.52 |
Scenario for the race to the final
Australia
Reigning champions Australia, the table toppers, have five matches remaining in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. So far, the Pat Cummins led side has played 12 matches, won eight, lost three and drawn one. They next play India in five matches at home beginning on November 22 in Perth, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka for two Tests. If Australia win four of their remaining seven Tests, they’ll make it to the final. If they don’t, they’ll have to keep a close eye on the result of the England vs New Zealand series, and South Africa’s remaining matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. If Australia win less than five of their remaining matches, they will need England to whitewash New Zealand 3-0 and South Africa to lose three of their four remaining Tests. Australia have not had a great record at home against India in Tests over the last few decades, but they’ll have an upper hand over Sri Lanka when they tour the island country next year.
Most runs – Usman Khawaja (943)
Most wickets – Josh Hazlewood (51)
India
India are currently second on the points table with 14 points, having won eight matches, lost five, and drawn one. After a 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, the Rohit Sharma-led side is now in Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22 in Perth.
To secure a spot in the final, India must win the series 4-0. A smaller margin of victory would leave their qualification dependent on other results. Having lost both previous World Test Championship finals, India will now aim for a third consecutive appearance and get the trophy home this time.
Most runs – Yashasvi Jaiswal (1407)
Most wickets – Ravichandran Ashwin (62)
Sri Lanka
With five wins and four losses in nine games, Sri Lanka occupy the third spot on the points table. They kept their World Test Championship final hopes alive with a win against England in the last of the three Tests in September. However, their road ahead to the final is challenging. They have four Tests left, two each against South Africa and Australia. To qualify without relying on other results, Sri Lanka must win at least three of these matches—a tough ask, especially against a strong Australian side. But cricket is a sport of uncertainties, and Dhananjaya de Silva and co. will be looking to remain optimistic about making their first-ever WTC final.
Most runs – Kusal Mendis (943)
Most wickets – Prabath Jayasuriya (39)
New Zealand
New Zealand surprised many by winning the recent series against India 3-0, keeping their hopes of reaching the WTC final alive. The inaugural WTC champions have played 11 matches, winning six and losing five, earning 72 points so far. With three Tests remaining, all at home against England, a clean sweep would give them a strong chance of making the final. However, their qualification would still depend on other results falling in their favour.
Most runs – Rachin Ravindra (855)
Most wickets – Ajaz Patel (37)
South Africa
South Africa are fifth on the points table, with four wins, three losses, and one draw from eight matches. Their recent 2-0 series win over Bangladesh has kept their chances of making the WTC final alive.
They have four Tests remaining, two each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, all at home—a significant advantage. To stay in contention, South Africa must win at least three of these matches, but their qualification will also depend on the outcomes of other teams’ matches.
Most runs – David Bedingham (486)
Most wickets – Kagiso Rabada (33)
England
The WTC final will be held in England, but the hosts are already out of contention. Led by Ben Stokes, England have won and lost nine matches each in this cycle and are currently sixth on the table.
Even a 3-0 series win against New Zealand won’t be enough for them to make the final. Poor results away from home have hurt their campaign, with six losses in eight overseas Tests this year. Their 4-1 defeat in India remains their heaviest defeat.
Most runs – Ben Duckett (1290)
Most wickets – Chris Woakes (45)
Pakistan
Pakistan is also out of the race for the WTC final. Despite a recent 2-1 series win against England under new coach Jason Gillespie, their poor results earlier in the cycle ended their chances.
With four Tests remaining—two away against South Africa and two at home against the West Indies—Shan Masood’s team will aim to finish the cycle on a high, though it won’t be enough to secure a spot in the final.
Most runs – Saud Shakeel (826)
Most wickets – Noman Ali (30)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the WTC final ended with a recent home series loss to South Africa. With only two Tests left, both away against the West Indies, their campaign is effectively over.
Bangladesh has won just three of their 10 matches, losing seven. A slow over-rate penalty in August further cost them three WTC points during the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan. Looking ahead, Bangladesh will aim to regroup and perform better in the next WTC cycle.
Most runs – Mehidy Hasan Miraz (561)
Most wickets – Mehidy Hasan Miraz (34)
West Indies
The West Indies sit at the bottom of the WTC table, with just one win from nine matches. Their sole highlight was a victory against Australia in Brisbane in January, but overall, their performance has been disappointing.
With two series remaining, the West Indies will aim to improve their standings. They will host Bangladesh at home in late November before traveling to Pakistan early next year to conclude their campaign.
Most runs – Alick Athanaze (421)
Most wickets – Jayden Seales (25)
