ICC World Test Championship points table (updated) as on December 9 after SA vs SL 2024 Test series
South Africa stormed to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after a comprehensive 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka at home. The Proteas survived a nervy phase in the final innings to win the second Test in Gqeberha by 110 runs, and head into a strong position to make it to the final of the third edition.
Temba Bavuma and co. were bumped up to the second position after Team India's 10-wicket defeat at the Adelaide Oval against Australia in the second Border-Gavaskar series Test. Courtesy of the win in Gqeberha, the Proteas' win percentage has increased to 63.33% from 59.26%, sending Australia into second place with their win percentage of 60.71%.
The result also means that Sri Lanka are officially out of contention for the WTC Finals. Dhananjaya de Silva and co. had a slim chance after a Test win against England away from home, and a 2-0 whitewash against New Zealand after that. The team was ranked fourth with a win percentage of 50, but that number has now dropped down to 45.45. While they still hold the fourth spot, they could sink if England complete a whitewash over New Zealand through a win in the upcoming third Test in Hamilton.
They still have a two-match home series against Australia in early 2025, which could have a huge say in the final position of the teams in the WTC standings.
South Africa are set to host Pakistan in a two-match home Test series next
The Proteas are currently in control of their own destiny. They have a two-match home series against Pakistan lined up next, which makes their final bilateral assignment in the ongoing cycle. If they continue their home dominance, and proceed along expected lines to complete a whitewash, they will finish with an imperious win percentage of 69.3%, sealing their place in the final.
Other remaining contenders for the final - India and Australia - will be keeping an eye on the series with great interest. The Men in Blue have three matches, all away from home remaining. Australia, on the other hand, still have five matches to go, with two of them coming away from home in the subcontinent.