Dubai, Jan 25 (UNI) The top four - India, New Zealand, Australia and England - in the

ICC World Test Championship are separated by just 3 percentage points as the race

for the final goes down to the wire.

England closed in on the top three with a 2-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka. The nine-team

table is led by India with 71.7%, ahead of New Zealand's 70%, Australia's 69.2% and

England's 68.7%.

In November, the ICC had announced that the points system for the World Test

Championship would be remodelled due to the disruption caused to the regular

calendar by COVID-19, with teams being ranked by percentage of points earned

(PCT).

Some qualification scenarios for reaching the final of the World Test Championships:

India – 71.7%

Remaining matches: Four-Test home series against England

To cement their place in the final, India will need to win their upcoming four-match

home series against England by at least a two-match margin. If they lose one Test,

then they will need to win three games (4-0, 3-0, 3-1 or 2-0), whereas a 0-3 or 0-4

loss against England will wipe away their chances of making the final regardless of

other results.

New Zealand – 70.0%

Remaining matches: None

The equation for New Zealand is simple; as they may not have more engagements

(their home series against Bangladesh is not confirmed). New Zealand will remain on

70.0%, having claimed 420 points from a possible 600. Therefore, they need no more

than one other team to finish with more than 70.0% of points earned.

For instance, a combination of England winning all their remaining matches and

South Africa winning by a 3-0 or 2-0 margin against Australia would end New

Zealand’s chances of making the final.

Australia – 69.2%

Remaining matches: Three Tests in South Africa (TBC)

Australia have slipped to third place with 69.2% points after their loss in the final Test

against India in Brisbane. To secure a place in the final, Australia will have to win at

least two Tests of the yet to be confirmed three-match series against South Africa and

avoid any losses. On the other hand, a home series win by South Africa will end

Australia’s chances of making the final. Any other results require a favourable

combination of series results not featuring Australia.

England – 68.7%

Remaining matches: Four Tests in India

Fourth-placed England's best chance of reaching the final is to win the four-match

series against India by a 3-0 or 4-0 margin. Any other results require a favourable

combination of series results not featuring England.

South Africa – 40.0%

Remaining matches: Two Tests in Pakistan, Three-Test home series against

Australia (TBC)

After England's series win in Sri Lanka, South Africa's hopes of making the final

have ended.

The remaining teams – Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Bangladesh –

will not be able to reach the final even if they win all their remaining fixtures.

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