The New Zealand cricket team emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship. Not many expected New Zealand to win the competition, especially because they started the tournament with a defeat against the Sri Lankan cricket team. But the Kiwis performed exceptionally well at home and finished in the Top 2.
The change in rules also helped the New Zealand cricket team. Earlier, the ICC decided to use the number of points to determine the finalists of the ICC World Test Championship. However, after some series did not happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board had no other option but to change the rules. Then, the percentage of points determined the two finalists.
Can New Zealand defend their title successfully?
Well, one cannot say with 100% guarantee that the New Zealand cricket team will defend the ICC World Test Championship successfully, the one thing that seems certain is that the New Zealand cricket team will qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final again. The reason behind it is their draw. Compared to other teams, their draw seems easier.
Almost every cricket fan would know that the teams need to play three series at home and three series away from home in the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous edition, New Zealand won all matches at home. This time, they will be hosting lower-ranked teams like South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It should not be a surprise if they win all home matches again.
Which are the away series for the Blackcaps in WTC 2021-23?
The away series will have 50% points in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. New Zealand should take all 50% points on offer in the home series, and last year if we see, the number one team of the World Test Championship points table had 72.2% points.
New Zealand will be playing their away series against India, England and Pakistan. They have done well away from home against England and Pakistan. Hence, even if the Blackcaps fail to defeat India in their away series, they still have a big chance of qualifying for the ICC WTC 2021-23 Final.
