Australia clinched a cliffhanger in Christchurch to clean sweep the two-match Test. Here is the updated World Test Championship (WTC) after the second Test between New Zealand and Australia.
Following a three-wicket win against New Zealand in a topsy-turvy Test match in Christchurch, Australia replaced the hosts at the second position of the WTC points table. Alex Carey starred for the hosts with an unbeaten 98 after Australia slipped to 80-5 while chasing 279 in the fourth innings.
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry picked up 17 wickets – the most scalps by anyone – at 15.70, and won the Player of the Series award.
This was Australia’s eighth win from 12 matches in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. They have also lost three and drawn one, accumulating 90 points in total.
An incredible win from our Aussie men to wrap up a massive summer of cricket!
A well-deserved break now with all eyes set on a huge series against India at the end of the year!
Sign up to hear from us as soon as all the details for next summer drop: https://t.co/qBup11ljha pic.twitter.com/heirqxNWvc
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 11, 2024
Australia’s PCT grew from 58.09 to 62.50, helping them to ascend to the second spot.
For reference, each win hands a team 12 points, while a draw gives four points. In case of a tie, each team receives six points. Teams are then sorted by points won per points contested (PCT).
The defending champions trail table-toppers India, who have a PCT of 68.51 after defeating England 4-1 at home. With six wins and a draw from nine matches, India have currently accumulated 74 points.
For New Zealand, the loss meant a drop in their PCT. At 50, they are now third on the table, just below their trans-Tasman rivals.
The last time New Zealand won a Test against Australia on home soil was back in 1993 at Eden Park when Danny Morrison scalped 6-37 in the first innings.
So far in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, Australia have played the most number of matches (12), while bottom-ranked Sri Lanka and fourth-placed Bangladesh have played the fewest (2).
WTC points table: Updated standings after the NZ vs AUS Christchurch Test
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