ICC World Test Championship 2023-25: Updated points table after 1st test, SA vs SL 2024

South Africa defeated Sri Lanka in Durban by 233 runs and inched closer to the ICC WTC 2025 final.

The first test between South Africa and Sri Lanka, which was played in Durban, saw the hosts win by 233 runs. The hosts put up a brilliant comeback after their first innings batting collapse where they were bowled out for 191 runs.

Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Sri Lankan pace trio of Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara starred for the visitors, restricting the Proteas to 191. Captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for the hosts with 70, while Keshav Maharaj chipped in with 24 valuable runs.

Much was expected from the Sri Lankan batting lineup, but they couldn’t withstand the brilliance of Marco Jansen. After their impressive bowling performance, the Lankans were bowled out for only 42 runs as Jansen took 7/13. Their horror display marked their lowest-ever total in test cricket.

The Proteas seized more control of the match in the second innings, thanks to brilliant centuries from Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma. The pair stitched a commanding 249-run partnership for the fifth wicket, tightening the hosts’ grip on the game.

South Africa declared their second innings at 366/5, leaving Sri Lanka with the massive target of 516 runs in the fourth innings of the test.

Though Dinesh Chandimal (83), Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Kusal Mendis (48) showed some resilience, the the visitors were bowled out for 282 runs and lost the Durban test by 233 runs. Jansen was once again the star with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee scalped two each.

ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table:

Thanks to this win in Durban, South Africa climbed to the second spot in the ICC WTC 2023-25 points table. They are now slotted at No. 2 with five wins and three losses in nine tests, resulting in 64 points to their name and a PCT of 59.26.

Sri Lanka are in the fifth spot in the ICC WTC points table, with a PCT of 50.00, having won and lost five tests each.

India are strongly placed at the number one spot in the ICC WTC standings with 61.11 PCT, while defending champions Australia have now slipped to the third spot with eight wins in 13 tests, having a PCT of 57.69.

New Zealand, who are currently competing with England in a test series, are in the fourth position at the moment with 54.55 PCT.

England, Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh are the bottom four teams in the ICC WTC points table and are effectively out of the race to the final.

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