In a matter of two weeks, the interesting and intriguing contest of the ICC World Test Championship has changed hue. India and Australia were appearing well set for finishing as the top two for yet another final in England in 2025. 

But the surprising Indian series whitewash of India against New Zealand at home changed the complexion completely around. Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand came into contention. India Australia 5 tests Border -Gavaskar test series became a do-or-die contest for both the team. India bouncing back strongly at Perth against Australia regained its position at the top. While vanquished Australia dipped in the points table following its loss to India and massive win by South Africa against Sri Lanka at Durban. 

The possibility of New Zealand also diminished after losing to England big at Christchurch. India will play four more tests in Australia. Australia after the series will travel to Sri Lanka. South Africa will have another home series against Pakistan after this series. New Zealand will have will rest of the tests against England and wait for outcome of other series going in their favor 

ICC Test Championship Points Table:

Brief Summary of Recent Tests 

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka at Durban 

South Africa 1st Innings 191 All Out (Temba Bavuma 70, Keshav Maharaj 24, Asith Fernando 3/44, Lahiru Kumara 3/70, Viswa Fernando 2/35) 
South Africa 2nd Innings 366/5 Declared (Tristan Stubb 122, Temba Bavuma 113, Aiden Markram 47, Viswa Fernando 2/64) 
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 42 All Out (Kamindu Mendis 13, Lahiru Kumara 10, Marco Jansen 7/13, Gerald Coetzee 2/18) 
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings 282 All Out (Dinesh Chandi Mal 83, Dhananjaya de Silva 59, Kushal Mendis 48. Marco Jansen 4/73, Kagiso Rabada 2/65, Gerald Coetzee 2/67, Keshav Maharaj 2/67)

South Africa Won by 233 Runs. 

The outstanding feature of the match is Sri Lanka getting bundled out for only 42 runs in the 1st Innings in only 13.5 overs. South African quick Marco Jansen taking 7/13 in only 6.5 overs set a record of taking the quickest taking 7 wickets bowling the least number of balls. He eventually became player of the match for taking 11 wickets in the match taking another 4/73 in the second Innings. The huge win of South Africa elevated them to the 2nd position of the points table and made Sri Lanka’s Road to ICC Test Championship final extremely challenging. 

Summary of England -New Zealand Test at Christchurch 

New Zealand First Innings 348 All Out (Ken Williamsson 98, Glen Phillips 58*, Tom Latham 47, Rachin Ravindra 34, Ryan Carse 4/64, Shoaib Bashir 4/49, Gus Atkinson 2/61) 

New Zealand 2nd Innings 254 All Out (Ken Williamson 61, Daryl Mitchell 84, Rachin Ravindra 24, Ryan Carse 6/42, Chris Woakes 3/50) 
England 1st Innings 499 all out (Harry Brook 177, Ben Stokes 80, Ollie Pope 77, Ben Duckett 46. Matt Henry 4/84, Nathan Smith 3/141.Tim Southee 2/85)
England 2nd Innings 104/2 (Jacob Bethell 50*, Ben Duckett 27, Joe Root 23*) 
England won by 8 wickets 

England’s win put the possibilities of New Zealand into back burners. They can still renounce winning the remaining tests by big margins. The outstanding features were milestone setting pace bowling by rookie English pacer Ryan Carse taking 4/64 and 6/42 in the match. Such a 10-wicket haul in a test was not even taken by Iconic James Anderson and Stuart Broad Harry Brook played brilliant innings of 171 for England. For the Kiwis Ken Willaimson made a great comeback batting true to his form in both the innings. 

The complexion of the ICC Test Championship will change over the next two to three weeks based on the outcome of the three important series. For Bangladeshis, there is no joy as Bangladesh has the sun at the bottom of the table. 

BDST: 1324 HRS, DEC 01, 2024
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