WTC Points Table: New Zealand Move Down; Sri Lanka Near India After Clinical Win In Galle Test
SL nears India in WTC points table [X]
In a remarkable achievement, Sri Lanka swatted aside New Zealand in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series at Galle International Stadium. Chasing a 275-run target on a challenging deck, New Zealand put up a commendable fight, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra's batting masterclass.
The southpaw struck a valiant knock of 92 runs before Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed him to swing the game in the hosts' favour. Riding on Jayasuriya's exceptional five-wicket haul, the Lankans eventually bundled New Zealand out for 211 runs, registering an emphatic 63-run victory.
WTC Points Table: New Zealand Lose Valuable Points After Galle Test Defeat
Teams | PCT |
---|---|
India | 71.67 |
Australia | 62.50 |
Sri Lanka | 50.00 |
New Zealand | 42.86 |
England | 42.19 |
Bangladesh | 39.29 |
South Africa | 38.89 |
Pakistan | 19.05 |
West Indies | 18.52 |
(Updated WTC standings after New Zealand's defeat in Galle Test)
New Zealand's heartbreaking defeat in the game negatively impacted their World Test Championship campaign, as the Blackcaps fell one position down in the standings. Earlier, they were placed third, just below their Trans Tasman rivals Australia, with a PCT of 50. However, after this loss, their PCT was reduced to 42.86, resulting in their demotion in the WTC points table.
They have seven Tests left in the cycle, one against Sri Lanka and three each against India and England. Given that four of these three Tests are on away soil, New Zealand's chance of qualifying for the WTC final seems jeopardised.
WTC Points Table: Sri Lanka Move To Number Three Following Their Emphatic Victory
On the other hand, their phenomenal win in the first Test at Galle helped them move up one place in the World Test Championship points table. The Lankan Lions, who recently defeated England at Kennington Oval, currently sit at number three below the two best sides, India and Australia. With four victories in eight matches, they have a PCT of 50 and would like to sustain their dream run and make a wildcard entry into the WTC final at Lord's.