South Africa edge closer to WTC Final; jump to second on points table

Temba Bavuma’s South Africa are now effectively three wins away from guaranteeing themselves a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final after thumping Sri Lanka by 233 runs in the first Test of the two-Test series in Durban.

With the victory, the Proteas have jumped to second spot on the WTC standings, leapfrogging Australia (PCT 57.69%), who have moved to third. South Africa (PCT 59.26%) are now breathing down the neck of India (PCT 61.11%). The Proteas will move to top spot if they win the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha and India draw or lose the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide.

Should they win each of their three remaining Tests (1 vs Sri Lanka and 2 vs Pakistan, all at home), South Africa will be guaranteed a spot in the WTC Final, since only Australia can surpass their maximum PCT at this stage, which is 69.44%. But even if the Proteas win two of their remaining three games, they will finish with a PCT of 61.11% and will give themselves a very good chance of making it to the WTC Final.

From a Sri Lankan perspective, the loss means that they can now only achieve a maximum PCT of  61.53% even if they win the second Test in Gqeberha and whitewash Australia at home. But the second Test of the ongoing series has now become a must-win for the Asian side. 

New Zealand are also on the verge of losing the first Test against England in Christchurch. If the Blackcaps suffer a defeat, they will also find it near-impossible to make it to the WTC final.

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