WTC 2023-25: How are the teams ranked before the boxing day tests?

The Boxing Day holds a lot of importance in cricket. Boxing Day tests in Australia and South Africa will feature some of the best teams as Pakistan attempts to bounce back after losing the first test against Australia while India and South Africa will play the first of the two-match test series. Pakistan and Australia will play their test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). South Africa will host India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. But before the two iconic tests begin on the 26th of December let’s take a look at the World Test Championship points table.

WTC 2023-25 Table

Position	Team	PCT (%)	Points	Matches			Series	Penalty
				Wins	Loss	Draw
1	India	66.67	16	1	0	1	1	0
2	Pakistan	61.11	22	2	1	0	2	-2
3	New Zealand	50	12	1	1	0	1	0
	Bangladesh	50	12	1	1	0	1	0
4	Australia	41.67	30	3	2	1	2	-10
5	West Indies	16.67	4	0	1	1	1	0
6	England	15	9	2	2	1	1	-19
7	South Africa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Sri Lanka	0	0	0	2	0	1	0

• India

The two-time runner-up, India has played two matches in the current WTC cycle against the West Indies. India won their first match against the West Indies but were unfortunate to only get a draw in the second test with rain playing the spoil sport. With a win and a draw, India has 16 points and has captured 66.67% points available. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be playing South Africa for a two-match series. With a motivated England coming to the Indian shores shortly for a five-match series, India would look to get as many points as possible from their tour of South Africa.

• Pakistan

India’s arch-rivals and neighbours are second on the points table after playing their third game of the 2023-25 cycle. Pakistan started the cycle with two wins over Sri Lanka and was at the top of the points table for a long time before their third test against Australia. Australia defeated Pakistan by 360 runs in the recently concluded test at Perth. Pakistan have now moved to the second position and has an uphill task of retaining their position with two tests against Australia remaining. The Shan Masood-led side even received a two-point deduction for slow over-rate in their latest test against Australia.

• Bangladesh and New Zealand

Both Bangladesh and New Zealand are tied with 50% points having played two tests against each other. Both teams have won a test match against each other. New Zealand will host South Africa for two tests in February as their next assignment in the current cycle. Bangladesh does not have any tests soon.

• Australia

The defending champions, Australia are in the fourth position after playing the Ashes in England and the first test against Pakistan. Australia started the cycle on a great note by winning the first two Ashes matches but lost two and drew one match in the next three matches. The Pat Cummins-led side also received a 10-point penalty for slow over-rate. Australia defeated Pakistan in the first test at Perth and will fancy themselves winning the remaining two tests. After the Pakistan tour, Australia will host the West Indies for another two tests. With four home test matches remaining, Australia will most probably make the jump to the second spot. Currently, the champions have scored 41.67% points and with four wins in the next four matches, they can change this percentage to 65%.

• West Indies

West Indies once again has been poor in the WTC cycle. West Indies lost the first match against India and were lucky to get a draw in the second match thanks to rain. They will now play two test matches in Australia and have announced a squad with seven uncapped players. Skipper, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers are not part of the squad for two tests as they opted to play T20 matches.

• England

England have played only one Ashes series. In those five matches, England won two matches, lost two and drew one match. England will be touring India for another five-match series. England’s tour of India will play a pivotal role in this WTC cycle for both teams involved. The Ben Stokes-led team also lost a lot of points during the Ashes due to slow over-rate. They lost 19 points due to over-rate penalties. England have captured just 15% of the points available.

• South Africa

South Africa is yet to play a test match in the ongoing WTC cycle. The Proteas will begin their cycle with the Boxing Day test match against India and with history on their side they will probably capture some points.

• Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has played just one series against Pakistan where they lost both matches. Sri Lanka’s next assignment will be in August in England. They will play three matches against England and will look to get their first points in the cycle.