World Test Championship final: The race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final is getting hotter and hotter with Test matches taking place all around the globe. On one hand Australia and India are battling it out in the intense Border Gavaskar Trophy, whereas on the other hand, South Africa have booked their place in the final in June next year with an impressive victory over Pakistan at the Centurion. The Proteas have made job difficult for both Australia and India as just one slot remains open for the WTC final now. Both India and South Africa are playing their last series of the ongoing WTC cycle whereas Australia have a 2-match series in-hand against Sri Lanka away from home next month.
The 5-match series between India and Australia is locked at 1-1 and it could turn in any team's way with the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) shifting momentum on regular basis. Nitish Kumar Reddy of India scored his maiden Test ton on Saturday which helped bring some balance in the contest, which has so far been heavily dominated by the home side.
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The win at Centurion will be remembered as a great comeback by the hosts as at one point it looked Pakistan's game with Mohammad Abbas breathing fire. His impeccable line and length wreaked havoc, consistently forcing the batters to edge the ball. When they didn't, he targeted the stumps with precision, leaving the South African lineup in tatters.
The collapse began with Markram, bowled by an absolute gem from Abbas in the second innings of the Proteas. South Africa lost four more wickets in the first session of Day 4, with Abbas claiming four out of the five. Bavuma showed intent with a counter-attacking approach but was controversially caught behind despite UltraEdge showing no contact. It was simply not South Africa's day.
With just 32 runs required but the pitch still offering assistance to the bowlers, Pakistan were just two wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead in the series. South Africa, however, bounced back with a solid partnership between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada who scored 50 runs together to get the win for their hosts.
Updated WTC standings:
South Africa (Q) (PCT 66.67)
Australia (PCT 58.89)
India (PCT 55.88)
New Zealand (PCT 48.21)
Sri Lanka (PCT 45.45)
England (PCT 43.18)
Pakistan (PCT 30.30)
Bangladesh (PCT 31.25)
West Indies (PCT 24.24)
While all three outcomes (win, lose, draw) still possible for India at Melbourne, we take a look at how India can still qualify for the WTC final, which is scheduled to be played at Lord's from June 11 next year.
If India win the Melbourne Test but the series ends in a 2-2 draw with Australia winning in Sydney, India will finish their WTC cycle with 126 points and a PCT of 55.26. In this scenario, Australia can surpass India with either two draws or at least one win in their series against Sri Lanka. The same applies if Australia win in Melbourne but lose in Sydney.
If India draw the Melbourne Test and win in Sydney, they will end their WTC cycle with 130 points and a PCT of 57.01. For Australia to qualify for the WTC final, they must defeat Sri Lanka 2-0.
If India lose the Melbourne Test but manage to draw the Sydney Test, they will finish with 118 points. In this case, Australia will have already overtaken them by the end of the series.
If both the Melbourne and Sydney Tests result in draws, India will conclude their WTC cycle with 122 points and a PCT of 53.50. For Australia to qualify for the final, they will need to secure at least one win against Sri Lanka.
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