ICC World Test Championship: What Australia, India, England, New Zealand and Pakistan need to do to qualify for final?

The coronavirus pandemic had stalled many cricket series from March to June and this had wreaked havoc with the ICC World Test Championship cycle of 2019-2021. However, with Test cricket resuming in July with England’s series against West Indies and Pakistan, the ICC World Test Championship is back on track. However, with the coronavirus still around, there is a doubt whether the ICC World Test Championship final will be held in June 2021 in Lord’s.On the other hand, the situation demanded some changes in the scoring system when it came to the ICC World Test Championships.

Thus, in mid-November, the ICC proposed that the ICC World Test Championship final will be between the sides who have the highest percentage of points earned from those they contested. So, this new formula has altered the table slightly with Australia now in second position while India are in second position. England are in third spot followed by New Zealand in fourth and Pakistan in fifth.

With Test cricket resuming in full flow from December onwards, here is the scenario what each team needs to do in order to make it to the final in Lord’s in June 2021.

How is the current system calculated for the ICC World Test Championships?

In the old system, teams that had the maximum points would make it to the final. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the teams with highest percentage of points wins. How is this calculated? For example: India have a total of 360 points out of the 480 that they have contested. So, 360 divided by 480 into 100 gives them 75 percentage points. The maximum the teams can contest for is 720 points as each team will play a total of six series (three away, three home)

What is the qualification scenario for Australia for the final?

Australia are on top with 82.2 percent point, having secured 296 points out of 360. Their series against Bangladesh was cancelled and they now have only two series against India and South Africa. If they win the series against India and South Africa, they will qualify for the final. If they lose both, they will slip down the order. If they win 4-0 against India, their percentage goes up to 86.6 percent and if they win against the Proteas, they will go to 90. If they lose to South Africa, they will slip to 69 which might prove to be dangerous.

What is the qualification criteria for New Zealand?

The New Zealand team are perhaps the makers or breakers of which team qualifies for the final. They have two series lined up against West Indies and Pakistan, both of which are two-Test series. If they win all four Tests, they will get to 420 out of only 600 points as their series against Bangladesh was cancelled. That will give them 70 percentage points and it should be enough if India lose heavily to Australia and that England lose by not a big series margin against India. If New Zealand loses any of the Tests, they could be eliminated.

What is the qualification criteria for India?

For India, they have a total of eight Tests now against Australia and England. If they win in Australia and beat England at home, they are assured of a ticket to Lord’s. However, if they lose 4-0 against Australia, they will have to whitewash England at home. If they have a 4-4 scoreline, they will have a winning percentage of 66 percent. Thus, every game from now on is massively important and they will have a close look at what New Zealand is doing.

What is the qualification criteria for England?

England have two series remaining but all are in Asia. The seven Tests, which include three against Sri Lanka and four against India will be massive. If they lose all of their Tests in Asia, they will be eliminated. If they win against Sri Lanka but lose to India, their result will depend on how Pakistan and New Zealand fare in the series.

What is the qualification criteria for Pakistan?

Pakistan have one Test remaining against Bangladesh while their remaining two series are in New Zealand and South Africa. If they beat New Zealand, their chances improve providing England lose all seven Tests in Asia. If Australia are beaten in South Africa and India are hammered in Australia, then Pakistan need to win also win in South Africa if they need to have a slim chance of reaching the final in Lord’s.