World Test Championship: Current standings and road to 2025 final

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The World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 race is heating up as the first Test of each of the four ongoing series has impacted the standings. South Africa and England's dominant wins have given their campaigns a boost, while other teams like Sri Lanka and Australia face challenges to improve their point percentages.

Here’s an update on how each team is positioned and their chances of reaching the final at Lord's next year:

1. India - 61.11% of possible points
Remaining matches: Australia (away, four Tests)
Best possible finish: 69.30%

India bounced back strongly after a difficult 3-0 series loss to New Zealand. Their comprehensive win over Australia has put them back in the race for a third straight WTC Final. India will need to win at least three of their remaining four matches to secure a spot in the final.

2. South Africa - 59.26% of possible points
Remaining matches: Sri Lanka (home, one Test), Pakistan (home, two Tests)
Best possible finish: 69.44%

South Africa’s impressive start to the home season with a win over Sri Lanka has strengthened their position in the standings. With three important matches ahead, South Africa has a good chance to stay in contention if they continue their winning form.

3. Australia - 57.69% of possible points
Remaining matches: India (home, four Tests), Sri Lanka (away, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 71.05%

The defending champions are still in a strong position despite a setback in the Border-Gavaskar series, where they are 1-0 down. With six Tests remaining, Australia will need to win at least four to stay in the hunt for a final spot.

4. New Zealand - 50% of possible points
Remaining matches: England (home, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 57.14%

New Zealand's chances of qualifying took a big blow with a loss to England in Christchurch. Even with their best effort, they will not be able to cross the crucial 60% mark in the points table. They now need several favorable outcomes to make it to the final.

5. Sri Lanka - 50% of possible points
Remaining matches: South Africa (away, one Test), Australia (home, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 61.54%

Sri Lanka’s loss to South Africa in the opening Test has put them in a difficult position. However, if they can win the second Test in South Africa, they may still have a chance to challenge for the top spots, especially with crucial home matches against Australia remaining.

6. England - 43.75% of possible points
Remaining matches: New Zealand (away, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 48.86%

England’s hopes of making it to the WTC final are slim after losses in Pakistan. They started their series against New Zealand with a win, but they are still a long way off the top two spots and will need to win both Tests to stay in contention.

7. Pakistan - 33.33% of possible points
Remaining matches: South Africa (away, two Tests), West Indies (home, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 52.38%

Pakistan’s chances of making it to the final are slim. They have won two Tests under new coach Jason Gillespie, but with six teams ahead of them, even winning their remaining matches might not be enough to make the top two.

8. West Indies - 26.67% of possible points  
Remaining matches: Bangladesh (home, one Test), Pakistan (away, two Tests)  
Best possible finish: 43.59%

The West Indies have had a tough WTC cycle. After some early setbacks, they have started their home series against Bangladesh with a win. However, their slim chances will require a strong finish to the cycle.

9. Bangladesh - 25.00% of possible points
Remaining matches: West Indies (away, one Test)  
Best possible finish: 31.25%

Bangladesh, at the bottom of the points table, faces a difficult path to the final. A win in their remaining match against the West Indies could raise their total, but it will still be far from enough to qualify for the final.

As the cycle continues, the battle for the top two spots remains intense, with teams like India, South Africa, and Australia in the strongest positions. The next few series will be crucial in deciding which teams make it to the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord's.