The qualification scenario for the World Test championship final has now become more intense after the first Test between New Zealand and England in Christchurch. England won the Test match by eight wickets to take a lead of 1-0 in a three-match Test series. However, both the teams have now been sanctioned for maintaining a slow over rate during the Test match, which has also affected the points table of the ongoing WTC cycle.
As a penalty for the slow over rate, both teams were fined 15% of their match fees and also lost three points each in the WTC points table. With only 13 matches remaining before the WTC final at Lords in 2025, the qualifications have become more tricky for the teams.
New Zealand out of top four in WTC 2025-27
Despite a big win in the first Test in Christchurch, England were still out of the race to qualify for the World Test Championship final and now stand no chance after losing three crucial points due to slow over rate. England are now at the sixth position with 42.500 points. On the other hand, the inaugural WTC champions New Zealand have also slipped from the the fourth position to fifth position in the points table.
New Zealand are now at 47.920 points in the 2025-27 and need to win the remaining Test matches against England to keep themselves alive in the race to the final. India have reclaimed the top spot in the points table after a massive 295-run in the Perth Test against Australia, while South Africa have also jumped to the second spot after a dominant 233-run win against Sri Lanka in Durban. Australia have slipped to the third spot after losing the first Test, while Sri Lanka benefited from New Zealand’s point deduction as they are now in top four.
