WTC Final Scenario: The whole picture can change in 3 days, do or die for 2 teams, 3 are holding their breath, 6 will take the field

New Delhi. The next 3-4 days are very important for the race for the WTC final. In these days, 6 teams will play test matches. For two of these teams, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, these matches are do or die. To remain in the race for the WTC final, they need to win at any cost. Sri Lanka’s mathematics may still be stuck in ifs and buts, but New Zealand will be out of the race even if it plays a draw. This week is very important for India, Australia and South Africa.

The second test match will be played between South Africa and Sri Lanka from Thursday. Just a few hours after the end of the first day’s play of this match, the New Zealand team will be losing to England. The teams of New Zealand and England will remain on the field while India and Australia will have come to Adelaide to test each other. From this busy schedule, it can be estimated how exciting this week is going to be for those who like Test cricket.

Now let us return to the race for the ICC World Test Championship i.e. WTC Final. For Sri Lanka, it is like competing with South Africa or die. If Sri Lanka wins then it will remain in the race. If the Sri Lankan team loses the second test against South Africa, then even after winning the next series against Australia, it will not be able to go beyond 53.85 points (percentage). It is very difficult to make it to the WTC final with just 53.85. If Lanka plays a draw with the African team then it will get 48.48 points (percentage).

Even playing a draw will not help New Zealand
The New Zealand team was in trouble after losing the first test match to England. After the match, his/her 3 points were deducted due to slow overrate. It was like itching in leprosy. Due to this, New Zealand slipped from fourth to fifth place in the points table. Now even if New Zealand wins both the remaining Test matches, it cannot reach the WTC final on its own. Even if he/she wins both the tests, he/she will still be able to score only 55.36 points (percentage). A team with so few points can play the final only if the teams with more points lose most of their matches. If New Zealand loses even one of the two matches, then every way to the final will be closed for them. If New Zealand wins one match and draws one then it will have 50.60 points (percentage). A team with so few points will not be able to participate in the race for the finals.

Africa can be happy even with a draw
Apart from New Zealand-Sri Lanka, India, Australia and South Africa are in the race for the WTC final. If South Africa defeats Sri Lanka, its points (percentage) will exceed 63, after which its path to the final will become much easier. Even if the African team plays a draw with Sri Lanka, its percentage points will remain 56.67, which will keep it in the race for the final.

What will happen if India loses…
If the Indian team beats Australia in the test match starting from 6th December, then its percentage points will be 63.54. In such a situation, his/her claim to play the WTC final will remain strong. If Australia wins this match, India will be left with only 57.29 percent points. In such a situation, he/she may slip to second or even third position. Australia will again reach top-2 with 60.71. If this match is drawn then India’s points will be 59.38 and it will remain in the top-2.

tag: india vs australia, new zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, wtc final