Australia retain top position on updated WTC points table

On January 28, 2024, the West Indies beat Australia by eight runs at Brisbane – their first win in the country after 27 years. Later in the day, England turned around a 190-run deficit to complete a 28-run triumph over India at Hyderabad.

The West Indies’ win was scripted by Shamar Joseph, who had debuted earlier in the series and was not even certain to take field after he was hit on the boot by a Mitchell Starc yorker.

Chasing 216, Australia were placed comfortably at 113-2 when Joseph struck twice in two balls, then twice in three balls, and later, twice in five balls. He finished with 7-68 as Steve Smith carried his bat with 92.

Despite their defeat, Australia retained the top spot in the WTC 2023-25 points table. Six wins and a draw from ten Test matches have ensured them a PCT of 55.

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England’s win was scripted by Ollie Pope, whose 196 was the only score in excess of fifty in the third innings of the Test match, and debutant Tom Hartley, who followed his 23, 2-131, and 34 with 7-62.

India’s defeat resulted in them dropping three places to fifth. Their PCT (43.33) after five games is now behind the three teams tied on a PCT of 50 – South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All of them have played two Test matches.

With 36.67 from five Test matches, Pakistan are at sixth place, marginally ahead of the West Indies, who now have 33.33 from four games. England’s win did not result in a change in their rank – they are still eighth – but their PCT went up to 29.17.

Having lost both their Test matches, Sri Lanka now languish at the bottom.