The World Test Championship (WTC) points table for the 2023–2025 cycle is periodically shifting due to the rapid influx of Test matches. At the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, December 1, England defeated New Zealand by eight wickets in the opening Test match.
England needed just 104 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after dismissing New Zealand for 254 in their second innings. With eight wickets already taken, the Three Lions needed just 12.4 overs to attain the goal. Ben Duckett (27) and Joe Root (23*) made daring cameos for the tourists, while debutant Jacob Bethell hit an undefeated 50 off 37 balls.
After taking four wickets in the first innings and six more in the second, right-arm bowler Brydon Carse was rightfully named Player of the Match. In England’s opening innings, the 29-year-old also made a contribution with a fluid 33 off 24 balls.
New Zealand’s hopes of qualifying for the WTC final the following year have been severely damaged by this loss. Although the Tom Latham-led team’s win percentage fell from 54.55 to 50, they were still fourth in the WTC points standings. This is a major setback following a historic series victory in India and their sixth loss in 12 Test matches. Following this defeat, if New Zealand wins their final two Test matches in the series against England, they may finish with a maximum win percentage of 57.14. In the meantime, the hosts will require favors from other teams in order to get to the summit match if they win the series 2-1.
However, England, who have won 10 of their first 20 games, maintained their position at No. 6 in the standings.
The Englishmen have little chance of making it to the WTC final, which would have been their first appearance. The points’ percentage (PCT) for Ben Stokes and Co. is 43.75.
South Africa moved up to No. 2 on the points table on Saturday, defeating Sri Lanka by 233 runs at Kingsmead in Durban, pushing out the defending champions, Australia. The winning percentage for the Proteas is 59.26. The Lankan Lions, meanwhile, have a 50 percent win rate.
Latest WTC 2023-25 Points Table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT |
| 1 | INDIA | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 110 | 61.11 |
| 2 | SOUTH AFRICA | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 59.26 |
| 3 | AUSTRALIA | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 90 | 57.69 |
| 4 | NEW ZEALAND | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 50.00 |
| 5 | SRI LANKA | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 6 | ENGLAND | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 105 | 43.75 |
| 7 | PAKISTAN | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | WEST INDIES | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 32 | 26.67 |
| 9 | BANGLADESH | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 33 | 25.00 |
*Last updated December 1, 2024, after England’s win over New Zealand in the first Test in Christchurch.
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