As the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) ended, it was already decided that India and Australia will play the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 on June 7 at Oval, London. But after New Zealand vs Sri Lanka series ended, the cycle of WTC 2021-23 is complete, and Australia is at the top with team India securing second place followed by South Africa.
The ‘Black Caps’ clean sweeps the two test match series against Lanka Lions, so the SL side ended in the 5th spot with England in the 4th place. While Men in Blue lifted the BGT 2023 trophy by 2-1 to qualify for the WTC Final.
While in the second test match of Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand 2023 (NZ VS SL), the Kiwi side won the game by an inning and 58 runs, and the home side lifted the trophy by clean sweeping the two-test match series. Kane Willamson was declared player of the series for his 337 runs. Tim Southee-led side in the second game at Wellington declared their innings on 580 runs mark, while the visitors were bowled out for 164 & 358 run mark.
Whereas, Men in Blue qualified for their second consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, as NZ defeated the Lankan side in a last-ball thriller Test in Christchurch on March 13, 2023. Kane Williamson’s unbeaten century helped the Kiwis beat the Islanders by 2 wickets to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
The final moment of the Dulux Test Series 🏏 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/N1EDpPnJHX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 20, 2023
Although, South Africa, not long ago, were in contention to make it to WTC Final. But they lost the three-match Test series in Australia by a 2-0 margin and that ended their contender ship. While they finish this WTC edition in third place just behind India with 55.56 percentage points. Sri Lanka started New Zealand with a great chance of qualifying for the final but twin losses in the Kiwi nation have dropped them to fifth place, below the English side in the points table.
Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh didn’t have a great WTC 2021-23 season as they finished in 7th, 8th and 9th places respectively.
Rohit Sharma-led side will be looking to win the WTC Final 2023, as they lost the WTC 2021 title against New Zealand at Southampton by 8 wickets, it was the inaugural edition and the Kiwi side chased down 139 runs on Day 5 to clinch the title.