Copyright The Cricket Times
The 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is rapidly moving towards a crucial phase, where every Test match counts and each team is fighting for a spot in the final at Lord’s in 2027. With 27 series and 71 matches remaining, the race to qualify is getting intense. Early performances have already set the stage for a dramatic contest, with some teams making strong statements, while others will have to fight their way back. As the competition heats up, all eyes are on the major series that will determine the front-runners for the coveted WTC final berth. 1. Australia Flawless beginnings but the ultimate test looms Australia have made an outstanding start to their WTC campaign, claiming the top spot with a perfect 100% Points Percentage (PCT) after a clean sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean. Their flawless performance has put them in a commanding position, but the real test is yet to come. Their upcoming five-match Ashes series against arch-rivals England, starting November 21 in Perth, will be the defining moment of the cycle. Australia has a strong record at home, having dominated the last two Ashes series with 4-0 victories, and they will be hoping for a similar result to keep their momentum going. After the Ashes, Australia faces a huge showdown with India in 2026, a series that could have massive implications for both teams’ qualification hopes. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 3 Wins: 3 Points Percentage (PCT): 100% Leading Run-scorer: Travis Head (224 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Mitchell Starc (15 wickets) Remaining Series England (5) – Home New Zealand (4) – Away Bangladesh (2) – Home South Africa (3) – Away India (5) – Away 2. Sri Lanka Impressive beginning but tough challenges ahead Sri Lanka has made an impressive start to their campaign, with a solid 66.67% PCT after a narrow 1-0 series win over Bangladesh in June. Their top performers, Pathum Nissanka and Tharindu Ratnayake, have played pivotal roles in putting the team in a strong position early on. However, Sri Lanka’s future is far from easy. Their upcoming away tours to the West Indies and Pakistan in 2026 will test their mettle, while home series against India and South Africa could make or break their qualification hopes. With a packed schedule featuring challenging opponents, Sri Lanka will need to find their best form to stay in the race. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 2 Wins: 1 Points Percentage (PCT): 66.67% Leading Run-scorer: Pathum Nissanka (369 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Tharindu Ratnayake (9 wickets) Remaining Series India (2) – Home South Africa (2) – Home West Indies (2) – Away Pakistan (2) – Away New Zealand (2) – Away 3. India On the brink of big opportunities India, the two-time WTC runners-up, have started strong with a 61.90% PCT, but their fate will largely depend on the series ahead. After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, they dominated West Indies at home with a 2-0 sweep. Their next major challenge comes with a critical two-match series against South Africa at home starting November 14, which could propel them higher in the standings. However, it is the five-match series against Australia in 2026 that will be the defining series for India’s qualification hopes. If they can navigate these tough challenges, they will have a strong shot at the final. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 7 Wins: 4 Points Percentage (PCT): 61.90% Leading Run-scorer: Shubman Gill (946 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Mohammed Siraj (33 wickets) Remaining Series South Africa (2) – Home Australia (5) – Home Sri Lanka (2) – Away New Zealand (2) – Away 4. South Africa Strong at home but away tests could define their fate South Africa is currently sitting at 4th place with a 50% PCT, and while they’ve shown resilience in their 1-1 series draw against Pakistan, their upcoming two-match away series in India starting November 14 is crucial. A positive result in India would significantly boost their hopes, as they have favorable home series against Australia, Bangladesh, and England later in the cycle. But to keep their qualification hopes alive, they need to maximize their points from these tough away fixtures. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 2 Wins: 1 Points Percentage (PCT): 50% Leading Run-scorer: Tony de Zorzi (175 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Simon Harmer (13 wickets) Remaining Series Australia (3) – Home Bangladesh (2) – Home England (3) – Home India (2) – Away Sri Lanka (2) – Away 5. Pakistan Challenging tours ahead but a long road to go Pakistan started their campaign with a split series against South Africa, but their qualification hopes will hinge on improving their performance in away series scheduled for 2026. They will face tough opponents in Bangladesh, West Indies, and England, and to stay in the race, they need to pick up points on these challenging tours. Their future is filled with opportunities, but they must capitalize on every chance to avoid falling behind in the standings. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 2 Wins: 1 Points Percentage (PCT): 50% Leading Run-scorers: Shan Masood, Agha Salman (140 runs each) Leading Wicket-taker: Noman Ali (14 wickets) Remaining Series Sri Lanka (2) – Home New Zealand (2) – Home Bangladesh (2) – Away West Indies (2) – Away England (3) – Away 6. England The Ashes decider: Can England overcome their Australian struggles? England have had a mixed start with a 2-2 draw against India at home, but their qualification prospects rest largely on the outcome of the five-match Ashes series in Australia, starting November 21. Historically, England has struggled in Australia, and a poor result here could seriously affect their WTC ambitions. Their performances in home series against New Zealand and Pakistan will also play a key role in accumulating enough points to stay in the race. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 5 Wins: 2 Points Percentage (PCT): 43.33% Leading Run-scorer: Joe Root (537 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Josh Tongue (19 wickets) Remaining Series New Zealand (3) – Home Pakistan (3) – Home Australia (5) – Away South Africa (3) – Away Bangladesh (2) – Away 7. Bangladesh Struggling for points but their home series are key Bangladesh sits near the bottom with just 16.67% PCT, but they still have opportunities ahead, especially with home series against West Indies and England in 2026. They will also travel to Pakistan and South Africa, where any points earned will be vital. If Bangladesh can pull off some upsets and get vital points from these upcoming home fixtures, they could climb back into contention. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 2 Wins: 0 Points Percentage (PCT): 16.67% Leading Run-scorer: Najmul Hossain Shanto (300 runs) Leading Wicket-takers: Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam (9 wickets each) Remaining Series Pakistan (2) – Away West Indies (2) – Home England (2) – Home South Africa (2) – Away Australia (2) – Away 8. New Zealand A delayed start means they must start strong New Zealand, the inaugural WTC winners, are the only team yet to play a match in the 2025-2027 cycle. Their campaign begins in December with a home series against the West Indies, and they will need to hit the ground running. Their tough away series in England and Australia in 2026 will require strong performances if they are to mount a serious challenge for qualification. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 0 Wins: 0 Points Percentage (PCT): 0% Leading Run-scorer: N/A Leading Wicket-taker: N/A Remaining Series West Indies (3) – Home India (2) – Home Sri Lanka (2) – Home England (3) – Away Australia (4) – Away 9. West Indies The clock is ticking: Can the West Indies break their losing streak? The West Indies are yet to secure a win in the cycle, currently sitting at the bottom with 0% PCT. They have lost all their series so far, and they will be hoping to break their losing streak during their upcoming three-match series in New Zealand. The West Indies need to turn their “glimpses” of form into consistent victories if they want to avoid finishing last in the standings. Key Performances So Far Matches Played: 5 Wins: 0 Points Percentage (PCT): 0% Leading Run-scorer: Shai Hope (279 runs) Leading Wicket-taker: Shamar Joseph (22 wickets) Remaining Series
