India and Pakistan gain ground as England and Australia have setbacks in the WTC

India and Pakistan have made strides in what might be a historic first-ever World Test Championship final between the two old rivals. Okay, it’s a touch ridiculous considering that the third cycle of the WTC has just recently begun and that the final is still two years away.

But with the type of head start India and Pakistan have had as a result of their series wins over the West Indies and Sri Lanka, respectively, as well as the harsh punishments the ICC levied on England and Australia, one shouldn’t be faulted for having lofty dreams.

 

 

The International Cricket Council penalised both England and Australia 10 points for their poor over rates during the recently finished Ashes series, which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. England was assessed a five-point penalty for the over-rate infraction in the fifth test, three in the fourth, nine in the second, and two in the first. This shows that the Ben Stokes-led squad never once matched the over-rate requirement throughout the Ashes.

 

 

Australia has done just a little bit better in that sense, as their over-rate was acceptable in four of the five Tests. However, when it wasn’t, they paid a steep price. Pat Cummins and team were docked 10 WTC points for being 10 overs short in the fourth Test, which ended in a draw as a consequence of many weather delays.

 

A team loses a WTC point for each over they are deemed to be under the projected over-rate, taking into account any delays that may have happened, under the new ICC regulations.

 

 

 

Despite having the exact same amount of points (28) at the completion of the five-match Ashes series, Australia and England are currently at the opposite extremes of the WTC points ladder. After subtracting 10 points, Australia’s percentage of points (PCT) is 30. They are third in the most recent WTC points standings.

 

Despite having lost 19 points and having a PCT of just 15, England is presently at No. 5 in the points table, even below the West Indies, who have yet to win a Test match in this WTC.

 

Despite the fact that New Zealand, South Africa, and Bangladesh are yet to participate in this World Cup, the over-rate punishments imposed by the ICC against England and Australia have placed the two top contenders at a disadvantage.

 

However, Pakistan and India won’t be the least bit bothered by this. Pakistan has started the 2023–25 season with a 100% point percentage after their convincing victory against Sri Lanka. Babar Azam’s squad trounced the hosts with a decisive innings victory after a tightly fought first Test.

 

 

India, who finished their series against the West Indies with a victory and a tie, sits close behind them in second position with 66.66%. India set the tone by winning the first Test by a sizable innings, but weather prevented them from completing a clean sweep in the second Test, which ended in a draw.

 

It goes without saying that supporters of England and Australia were not happy with the ICC’s severe punishments. The Australian opener Usman Khawaja really attacked the ICC’s choice on social media.

 

“Due to two days of rain in Manchester, we didn’t even get a chance to bowl in the second innings, but the @ICC is still fining us and docking us 10 WTC points for sluggish over rates! That makes a lot of sense,” Khawaja tweeted.

 

Prior to the fines, England and Australia each had 26 points and a point percentage of 43.33. Following the penalties, England and Australia dropped to 15% and 30%, respectively, putting them behind West Indies at 16.67%.