ICC introduced the World Test Championship with an aim of reviving Test cricket. The format is the most prestigious one. However, fans were slowly losing interest in it. The reason behind it was the massive difference in the strengths of some teams. India, Australia, New Zealand, and England have a very strong Test team. On the other side, teams like Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and South Africa have lost their experienced players.
When the top 4 teams compete with the other four nations, there are always one-sided battles. The ICC Table reflects the same. The bottom four teams do not have a chance of making it to the final. The top four are in fierce competition. The fans still do not know who will make it to the final. Here is a ranking of all four teams based on their chances of emerging as the world’s first ICC World Test Championship winners.
4. England
England is at the fourth position on the ICC World Test Championship points table right now. Even on this ranking, they are in the fourth position. The English team is below the others on this list because of their Asian tour. England first need to finish in the Top 2. For that, they need to win their next two series.
England will play their first Test series against Sri Lanka. Next, they will play a 4-Test series against India. The conditions will not favour them. Also, Sri Lanka could even upset them. So, England might not qualify for the final. Thus, they are at the last position on this list.
3. India
India is currently playing against Australia. They still have 3 Tests left. Next, they will host England. While India can make it to the tournament final, it will be tough for them to win it. The reason is that the final will happen at Lord’s. The English conditions favour the other three teams on this list more than India.
India will need a full-strength squad for the Lord’s final. First, they will have to perform well against Australia because New Zealand has only one series left. They will play against Pakistan at home. England’s series might also be tough for India. Hence, they have slightly lesser chances of winning than Australia and New Zealand.
2. New Zealand
New Zealand have the easiest chance of making it to the final. They only have one home series against Pakistan. New Zealand has dominated every team at home. So, the series versus Pakistan should help them progress on the standings. If they make it to the Top 2, their performance at Lord’s will decide everything.
The conditions in England and New Zealand favour the pacers. However, they are still a bit different. New Zealand’s team will have to be at their best on the finals day to win it. Their batsmen will have to play with great technique on English wickets. The Blackcaps have a chance of ending their ICC trophy with a World Test Championship triumph.
1. Australia
Australia is at the number one position on the points table. The series versus India is possibly their last one in the ICC World Test Championship. Hence, the Aussies are unlikely to lose their top spot. Also, Australian players know the conditions at Lord’s properly. Their record against India and New Zealand is also great.
Hence, Australia are the number one favourites to win the ICC World Test Championship. Australia has always dominated the other teams at ICC events. So, it is not surprising to see them do the same thing again. The Aussies could make history by winning this thing. Tim Paine will be immortalized if he leads his country to this epic achievement.
