New Zealand have given the best farewell possible to Tim Southee, who saw the Kiwis clinch the third Test against England by a whopping margin of 423 runs in Hamilton. With this, both New Zealand and England have concluded their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. While England won the Test series 1-2, they finished below New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the WTC points table.
Kane Williamson makes merry in Southee’s last Test
The Hamilton Test match will be remembered as an ode to Tim Southee, who has now hung up his boots. The WTC 2021 Final winner ended his career with 391 Test wickets and 98 sixes. However, it was Kane Williamson, who starred in this Test, hammering his 33rd Test century. With his commanding 156, the hosts set a mountanious target of 658 runs. England, obviously crumbled, with Mitchell Santner taking a four-wicket haul.
Updated WTC points table 2023-25 after New Zealand vs England 3rd Test
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Penalties | Points | % Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 76 | 63.33 |
| 2 | Australia | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 102 | 60.71 |
| 3 | India | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | -2 | 110 | 57.29 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | -3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | -22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
How can India qualify for WTC Final?
For India to qualify directly, they must win the series by a 4-1 or 3-1 margin. If India lose the Gabba Test but win the remaining two matches, they will need external help, such as a drawn Test between Australia and Sri Lanka from their 2-game Test series in the subcontinent.
A 2-2 series draw at BGT would complicate matters for India. They would require Sri Lanka to win their series against Australia. If Australia wins the series 3-2, India would need South Africa to lose both Tests against Pakistan and hope for one drawn game between Sri Lanka and Australia. A 4-1 or 3-1 series win for Australia would end India’s WTC final hopes altogether. In that case, South Africa and Australia would compete for the ultimate Test title at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, starting on June 7, 2025.
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