ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table after 1st test, New Zealand vs South Africa 2024

New Zealand registered their second win in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship campaign.

New Zealand have outclassed an inexperienced South African side in first of the two-match test series played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson shined with the bat for Kiwis in the first test. Ravindra scored his maiden test century and then converted it into a double ton. Kane Williamson hit centuries in both innings of the first test. The Blackcaps have made good use of the favourable conditions to haunt an inexperienced South African side.

New Zealand posted a huge total of 511 in their first innings with huge contributions from Rachin Ravindra (240) and Kane Williamson (118). Kiwi bowlers bowled out South Africa for just 162 runs in the first innings. Matt Henry (3 wickets) and Kyle Jamieson (3 wickets) bowled brilliant spells for the hosts. Despite having a lead of 349 runs in the first innings, the Kiwis came out to bat again and scored 179 runs in their second innings with help of captain Williamson’s century (109).

After extending their lead to 528, the Kiwis set a target of 529 to chase for South Africa, which was unattainable and the visitors could only score 247 in the second innings, losing the game by a huge margin of 281 runs.

ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table:

With a massive win over South Africa, New Zealand have jumped to top spot of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 points table with a PCT of 66.66 PCT. New Zealand have played only three test matches in the ongoing ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle and they have won two out of three games. New Zealand have earned 24 points out of overall 36 contested. New Zealand won a test against Bangladesh in a two-match series played in December 2023. New Zealand will be looking to extend their lead in the next game.

South Africa suffered their third defeat of this ICC WTC cycle. They won a test against India and secured 12 points in the Centurion test, but two back-to-back losses has dented their ICC WTC 2023-25 campaign. South Africa have dropped down to sixth place in the points table with PCT of only 33.33. South Africa have so far earned 12 out of 36 overall contested points in three test matches. One more loss will put South Africa in an uncomfortable position on the points table.

Australia are currently placed at second position in the points table with PCT of 55 in 10 games. Australia have 66 points from overall 120 contested in 10 test matches. India are third in the table with PCT of 52.77. India are currently playing a five-match test series against England. Bangladesh are placed fourth with PCT of 50 in two test matches. Pakistan are placed fifth with PCT of 36.66. West Indies have PCT of 33.33 to their name in the ongoing ICC WTC cycle and are placed seventh, while England are eighth with PCT of only 25. Sri Lanka are yet to open their account in the ongoing WTC cycle.

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