New Zealand's Dominance Rocks WTC Points Table: Australia and India Feel the Pressure

Source: Cricket Country

NZ VS SA: During an impressive 281-run victory over an under-strength South African side in the first Test in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand surpassed Australia and India to claim the lead in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. New Zealand now leads the WTC points table with a 66.66 percent points percentage. The Tim Southee-led team now has a decent chance of qualifying for the WTC final next year. They are heavy favourites to win the upcoming Test and sweep the two series 2-0 against a South African side that included up to six debutants in the first Test. The majority of South Africa's frontline cricketers were unable to participate in this series due to scheduling conflicts with the SA20.

After Kane Williamson's twin hundreds and Rachin Ravindra's double tonne gave New Zealand a commanding lead heading into Day 4, pacer Kyle Jamieson and spinner Mitchell Santner helped the hosts secure a comfortable victory.

With gloomy skies over the gorgeous Bay Oval, Jamieson set the tone for the third session by striking twice after lunch, removing David Bedingham (87) and Keegan Petersen (16).

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South Africa fell on 247 when chasing down 529, with Santner taking the final wicket of Dane Paterson.

New Zealand, the winners of the inaugural WTC in 2021, have only played three Tests during the current WTC cycle. They drew 1-1 versus Bangladesh at the conclusion of last year.

Following the outcome at Bay Oval, last year's champions Australia (55) fell to second, India (52.77) to third, and South Africa to seventh, trailing fourth-placed Bangladesh, Pakistan in fifth, and the West Indies in sixth.

However, India and England have a good possibility of changing their standings in the coming weeks. They are currently playing a five-match series in India. England won the first Test in Hyderabad, taking a 1-0 lead, but India responded with a convincing 106-run victory in the next Test in Visakhapatnam, tying the series at one.

The next three Tests will be critical for India. They would need to win at least two of those to have a reasonable chance of a third shot at the WTC title. They have a tough Australian tour planned for the end of the year. The third Test starts on February 15 in Rajkot.