Test Championship: South Africa’s win pushes Australia further behind

Australia finds itself under increasing pressure ahead of the day-night Test against India in Adelaide. After losing the first Test to India in Perth, Australia dropped to second place in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

Now, following South Africa’s dominant victory, Pat Cummins and his team have slipped to third. The top two teams in the points table will qualify for the final, which is currently occupied by India and South Africa.

In Durban, South Africa demolished Sri Lanka in the first Test. Despite scoring only 191 runs in their first innings, South Africa’s bowlers put them in control. Sri Lanka was bundled out for a mere 42 runs, with Marco Jansen claiming an impressive 7-wicket haul. In their second innings, South Africa declared at 366 for 5, thanks to centuries from Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma. Sri Lanka managed 282 runs in their second innings but fell short, losing by 233 runs.

With this win, South Africa climbed from fifth to second in the World Test Championship points table. This has added pressure not only on Australia but also on Sri Lanka, who were previously third but have now slipped to fifth.

Current standings in the World Test Championship:

1. India: India leads the table, having played 15 Tests, winning 9, losing 5, and drawing 1. They have 110 points with a win percentage of 61.11. India has previously played in both finals of the Test Championship and remains a strong contender for this cycle.
2. South Africa: South Africa has played 9 Tests, winning 5, losing 3, and drawing 1. They have 64 points with a win percentage of 59.25. With three home Tests remaining — one against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan — they are in a good position to secure a final spot.
3. Australia: Australia has played 13 Tests, winning 8, losing 4, and drawing 1. They have 90 points with a win percentage of 57.69. However, their position is precarious as two other teams are closing in.
4. New Zealand: After defeating India, New Zealand’s win percentage increased to 54.55.
5. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s win percentage has dropped to 50.00, placing them fifth.

South Africa’s recent performance has not only bolstered their chances but also intensified the competition for the final spots in the World Test Championship. India remains a favorite, while Australia must regroup quickly to stay in the race.