WTC 2023: The Australia cricket team convincingly defeated the Proteas team in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Thursday. The South African team was outclassed in both the departments and lost by an innings and 182 runs. Their second successive defeat in the ongoing three-match series has dented their chances of a final berth in the World Test Championship 2023, giving India a further boost.
How South Africa’s second defeat helped India
South Africa is playing a three-match Test series in Australia, while India has won a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Before the two series, India were at the fourth position with 52.08% PCT, while South Africa were at the second position with 60% PCT. But India’s win and South Africa’s loss have taken the Men in Blue to second place in the standings with 58.93% PCT, while the Proteas are now fourth with 50% PCT.
After their first Test win against Bangladesh, India moved up to the third spot in the standings with a PCT of 55.77%, while the loss to South Africa in the first Test dropped them to 54.55% PCT. Rohit SharmaThe men are in second place. India’s 2nd Test win took them down from 55.77% PCT to 58.93% PCT, while the Proteas’ loss in the 2nd Test took them further down to 50% PCT.
Australia on the brink of WTC 2023 final entry
Meanwhile, the Australian cricket team is now on the verge of reaching the final of WTC 2023. He has consolidated his top position in the standings with 78.57% PCT. Australia leads the three-match series against Dean ElgarSouth Africa won 2–0 and have yet to play a third match against them.
The road ahead for India, Australia and South Africa
In the ongoing WTC 2021-2023 cycle, India will play four Tests, Australia five, while South Africa will now play three more Tests. The Indian team will host Australia in a four-match Test series in February. The series will be crucial for Rohit Sharma’s team as three wins will surely get them a flight to The Oval, where the final of WTC 2023 will be held.
Meanwhile, Australia are almost into the final and a win could take them ahead. South Africa will now look to win all their remaining matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the showdown clash. They will play the West Indies in a two-match Test series after the conclusion of the third and final Test against Australia.