How England Can Still Qualify For WTC Final With 6 Tests Remaining

Stokes and McCullum [Source: @Sports_Himanshu/X.Com] Stokes and McCullum [Source: @Sports_Himanshu/X.Com]

A couple of days ago, both Bangladesh and New Zealand were above the England team in the WTC points table. However, both the sides lost 0-2 against India and Sri Lanka respectively, and thus, England have crawled to the number 4 spot in WTC table.

The England side have 6 Tests remaining, and each match becomes a knockout, as the race to the WTC finale heats up. India and Australia are the firm favourites for the finale, set to take place in June, 2025, but England do have an outside chance to sneak themselves in.

WTC cycle 2023-25: England's remaining matches

The England team have 6 Tests remaining in this WTC cycle. They have landed on the Pakistan shores for 3-match Test series, starting on October 7. The tour will end with the third Test beginning on October 24.

After which, the Three Lions will travel to New Zealand for another 3-match series, which will be their last WTC Test series in this cycle. The tour will begin on November 28, and will conclude on December 18.

How can England still qualify for WTC finals?

The England objective should be plain and simple - win all the six Tests, and that will get them to 57.95 PCT. England can still topple Australia easily, since India, the table toppers have a higher PCT than the Aussies, and second, Australia's final WTC assignment of this cycle is against Sri Lanka, in their owb backyard, which is a tough job for any Test playing side.

Sri Lanka will also play against South Africa, and the English side will hope that both the SL-SA Test series and the SL-AUS series ends 1:1, which will ensure that Sri Lanka will end the points table with 53.85 PCT, well behind the 57.95 England are expected to reach.

Prior to the Sri Lanka series, Australia have a tough assignment against the touring Indian side. Assuming that they drew 1:1 against Sri Lanka, and lose 3-2 against India, their PCT will be 55.26, well behind England's PCT.

England also has another obstacle in South Africa. The Ben Stokes led side will hope that South Africa win just 3 out of their remaining four games, and that will take their PCT to 52.78.