After Australia’s tour of South Africa was postponed owing to the second wave of Covid-19 gripping the Rainbow nation, New Zealand will be playing yet another final at the Lord’s, securing a top-two finish in the ongoing World Test Championship 2021 and are currently currently placed second in the standings with 70 percent of points earned and 420 points, behind India who will be playing England in a four-match Test series starting February 5.
The Kiwis currently hold the second position on the standings, with 70% points. Australia are only 0.8% points behind New Zealand. Had the Australian cricket team played against the sixth-placed Proteas, they could have improved their percentage. But CA chose to prioritize their players’ health above the ICC World Test Championship and canceled the tour.
However, with the series postponed current regulations dictate that matches not completed shall be treated as a draw with points split.
Earlier, there were talks of moving the Australia vs South Africa series to Perth amid COVID concerns. However, with the series postponed current regulations dictate that matches not completed shall be treated as a draw with points split.
India will host the visitors for a 4-Test series, starting this Friday in Chennai. Irrespective of the result, New Zealand will travel to Lord’s and play the ICC World Test Championship finale against India, Australia, or England.
Defeat against Sri Lanka couldn’t resist New Zealand to bounce back and beat the island nation by an innings and 65 runs in their second game.
Subsequently, Australia whitewashed the Kiwis 3-0 at home following that the Kiwis built a six-match w whitewashed India, West Indies, and Pakistan at home to cement their position in the top 2.
The Indian cricket team is most likely to face the Kiwis at Lord’s later this year.