World Test Championship new rankings: Sri Lanka progresses after series win vs NZ

Sri Lanka registered an emphatic 2-0 win over New Zealand at their home and made crucial progression in the World Test Championship standings. They are currently ranked No. 3 after India and Australia.

In Short

• Sri Lanka won the 2nd Test by an innings and 154 runs
• They registered a 2-0 clean sweep over New Zealand in Test series
• Sri Lanka stand at No. 3 position in World Test Championship rankings

Sri Lanka continued their impressive run in Test cricket with a commanding 2-0 series win over New Zealand, strengthening their chances of a top-two finish in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. After a 63-run victory in the first Test in Galle, the hosts secured an innings and 154-run triumph in the second match, marking one of their biggest wins in Test history. This clean sweep has propelled Sri Lanka's win percentage to 55.56%, keeping them in contention for a spot in the WTC final.

The current World Test Championship table sees India and Australia in the top two spots, with Sri Lanka occupying third place. To reach the final, the Sri Lankans need to finish with a higher percentage than either India or Australia. While India leads the table, Australia's position is more vulnerable, as they hold a PCT (points percentage) of 62.50, compared to Sri Lanka's 55.56. Australia's upcoming series against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be crucial, as the results will directly impact Sri Lanka's chances.

Updated WTC standings

Sri Lanka advances

New Zealand, on the other hand, have slipped to seventh place in the standings after the series loss. They now have a PCT of 37.50 with just three wins in eight matches. The Black Caps began the series in third place but were outplayed by Sri Lanka in both games. Despite a fighting effort in the second innings of the final Test, where they managed 335 runs, their poor first-innings score of 88 left them too far behind.

For Sri Lanka, debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris played a key role, taking six wickets in the second Test to help his team secure a historic win. Meanwhile, Prabath Jayasuriya was named Player of the Series for his 18 wickets at an average of 21.38, showcasing Sri Lanka's strong spin attack.

Sri Lanka's upcoming WTC fixtures include two Tests against South Africa away in November-December and two home Tests against Australia in January-February. A clean sweep in these matches could push their win percentage to 69.23%, boosting their chances of making it to the WTC final for the first time.

As for New Zealand, they'll need to regain form quickly, with their next assignment being a tough tour of India. Their hopes for a top-two finish in the WTC are now fading, and they'll need consistent performances in the remaining matches to climb back up the standings.