Australia crushed New Zealand by 247 runs in the 2nd Test match at MCG while South Africa defeated England by 107 runs in the 1st match played at Super Sports Park, Centurion. Both the matches finished inside in 4 days.
The ICC Test Championship started in August 2019. Depending upon the number of matches in the series points are allocated. The teams can earn 120 points. If the series is of 2 matches, team winning will get 60 points, 30 points for a tie and 20 points for a draw. The 3-match series will see a team earning 40 points for a win, 20 points for a tie and 13 points for a draw. If the series is of 4 matches, a team will earn 30 points for a win, 15 points for a tie and 10 points for a draw.
The top two teams will play each other in the finals of the prestigious tournament to be held at Lords in 2021.
Like the Ashes, if the series is of 5 matches, a team win will earn 24 points for a win, 12 points for a tie and 8 points for a draw.
Here we look at the latest ICC Test Championship Points Table
1. India
India is at the top of the points table with 360 points so far. They have played 7 Test matches so far and won all of them. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the Indian Cricket Team defeated West Indies away from home with resounding margins.
The Indian team continued their superb form by whitewashing South Africa 3-0 and then whitewashing Bangladesh 2-0 at home. Their next Test series will be against New Zealand in New Zealand in February 2020.
2. Australia
After winning the 2nd Test match by 247 runs at Melbourne, Australia has consolidated its 2nd position at the latest ICC Test championship points table. They started their campaign with a 2-2 draw in the Ashes with one match drawn. Australia earned 56 points in the Ashes.
Australia thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 5 runs in the first Test at Brisbane, continued their dominating display at Adelaide by winning the 2nd Test by an innings and 46 runs. They earned 120 points in total. Their dominating performance at home continued as they outplayed New Zealand in the first two Test matches at Perth and Melbourne.
Australia will be looking to gain 40 more points when they will face NZ in the third Test match at Sydney from 3rd January. They are currently on 256 points.
3. Pakistan
Pakistan has moved to 3rd place in the ICC Test Championship. After being whitewashed by Australia 0-2, Azhar Ali led side earned 20 points from a draw at Rawalpindi and then crushed Sri Lanka by 263 runs in the 2nd Test at Karachi to be at 80 points.
4. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is currently 4th place in the latest ICC Test Championship points table. They drew the 2 match Test series against New Zealand 1-1 at home in August. Under the captaincy of Dimuth Karurante, Sri Lanka earned 20 points for a draw at Rawalpindi and then lost to Pakistan by 263 runs at Karachi. Their next Test series will be against England at home in March.
5. New Zealand
New Zealand has slipped down to number 5th in the points table. After drawing the 2 match Test series against Sri Lanka away from home 1-1. Their performance in the ongoing Test series against Australia has been disappointing. Despite winning the home series against England 1-0, those points were not there in ICC Test Championship.
New Zealand lost the first Test match by 296 runs in the day-night Test match at Perth and then was outplayed in the 2nd Test at MCG by 247 runs. They would be looking to earn 40 points in the 3rd and final Test match. Under the captaincy of Kane Williamson, the Kiwis are 60 points.
6. England
England started their ICC Test Championship campaign against Australia in the Ashes. They earned 56 points from 2-2 draw series with one match drawn. Under the captaincy of Joe Root, England lost the first Test match to South Africa by 107 runs at Centurion.
England will be looking to bounce back in the rest of the series and earn 30 points which would be tough after such a disappointing performance.
7. South Africa
South Africa opened their account in the ICC Test Championship by winning the first Test match by 107 runs at Super Sports Park, Centurion on Sunday. After being whitewashed 0-3 in the series against India in India, they showed great character and skills.
Under the captaincy of Faf du Plessis, South Africa are on 30 points and would be looking to continue their form in rest 3 matches.
West Indies and Bangladesh have not opened their account. Both these teams were outplayed by India.
West Indies will face England in June 2020 while Bangladesh will take on Pakistan.
