The New Zealand squad has become the first to qualify for the debut WTC final. This happened after Australia decided to cancel their planned three-Test tour of South Africa due to health risks associated with Covid-19.
Australia's road to the June final at Lord's has become much steeper, as they now have to hope for favorable results from other matches. Currently, India holds the top spot in the World Test Championship with 71.7% PCT. New Zealand, sitting in second with 70% PCT, has officially clinched their spot since there is no longer a way for them to fall further down the rankings.
Sitting in third place with 69.2% PCT, Australia can no longer pass New Zealand because the South African series was called off. Meanwhile, the current WTC cycle wraps up with a four-Test series between India and England starting February 5. To qualify, Virat Kohli’s team must win at least two of those four games, with a 2-1 series victory being sufficient for their progression.
India and England meet in a 4-Test series beginning from Feb 5, which will be the last series in the ongoing cycle World Test Championship. Virat Kohli’s men will have to win at least 2 matches out of the 4 and they can qualify with a 2-1 result against England in the home series.
Conversely, losing two matches would knock India out of the running for the World Test Championship finals. India will guaranteed a spot in the final if they manage a home series victory over England with a scoreline of 4-0, 3-0, 3-1, 2-0, or 2-1.