India beat England in the third Test to knock them, out of the World Test championship final race. At the moment India are topping the WTC points table and are favorites to play the final against New Zealand at Lord’s in June later this year. However, to guarantee themselves of a spot on the final Team India would need to ensure that they do not lose the fourth and final Test match against England. India are topping the table currently with 490 points and a percentage point of 71. New Zealand are placed second with 420 points and a percentage point of 70.
India would need to either draw or win the fourth Test to qualify for the World Test Championship final. Meanwhile, India’s loss will allow Australia to sneak into the final. Australia were earlier beaten 2-1 when India travelled down under in one of the most memorable Test series between the two countries.
As things stand at the moment, India occupy the top spot with a win percentage of 71% while New Zealand are second with a win percentage of 70%. Australia are right behind New Zealand having won 69.2% of their games.
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World Test Championship Current Standings
England would look to win the last Test and Australian Assistant coach Andrew McDonald admitted the same while speaking to media on Tuesday.
“Bit of self-interest there, isn’t it, for us following England for the first time in a long time,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters in Wellington on Tuesday. “We’ll be hoping that they can do the job there” said McDonald.
Meanwhile, the way England lost the third Test failing to counter the threat of spin will further deter their chances of winning the Test match. The pitch in the final Test is expected to be spin-friendly like the third game.
The Australian assistant coach said that the conditions are strongly in the favour of the home team and that would make things increasingly difficult for England.
“It’s going to be difficult, no doubt. Some of the surfaces they’ve played on are conducive to spin bowling and probably India’s strengths are in their ability to play spin as well. We wish (England) well, see what unfolds. It’s out of our hands, but we’ll be watching on with interest” said McDonald.
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