The World Test Championship (WTC) cycle has reached a crucial point, with several teams vying for a spot in the highly-anticipated final set to be held at The Oval in June 2023. Let's take a look at the qualification chances of each team:
Australia:
The Australian team is the current favorite to qualify for the WTC final. They need just one win from their remaining five matches to secure a top-two finish. With a 2-0 lead in their current series against South Africa, and a four-match Test series against India on the horizon, the Aussies are well-positioned to make it to the final.
India:
India, the runners-up of the previous edition, are also in the running to qualify for the final. However, their campaign suffered a setback with a series defeat against South Africa earlier this year. They will need to perform well in their upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia to have a good chance of securing a spot in the final.
South Africa:
South Africa had a strong chance of appearing in the final, but consecutive series losses against England and Australia have hindered their progress. They will need to defeat Australia in the third Test at the SCG and produce good results in their series against the Windies, while also hoping for favorable outcomes in other matches.
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka has gained ground in the WTC points table, but will need to win both Test matches in their upcoming series against New Zealand to have a chance of qualifying for the final.
West Indies:
The West Indies have a slim chance of making it to the final, with their hopes relying on several other results. They have only two remaining matches in the current cycle, and will need to win both games against South Africa to have a chance of finishing in the top two places of the WTC points table.
Conclusion: The Australian team is currently the favorite to qualify for the WTC final, but India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies are also in the running and will need to perform well in their remaining matches to secure a spot in the highly-anticipated event.
