Australia’s defeat and Sri Lanka’s victory can change the equation
WTC 2023 Final Scenario: The World Test Championship 2021-23 has now reached its final stage. The race is on between the three teams for the finals. The Australian team, which has been number one in the points table for a long time, is now in danger of being dropped. Having lost the first two matches of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023, the Kangaroo team is looking in a very bad condition. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan team has geared up for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. Defending champions New Zealand are out of the race and a win or loss won’t make any difference to them. But here the eyes of both India and Australia will be focused on the performance of Sri Lanka, the third team of this race.
Sri Lanka on Friday announced their Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. Sri Lanka has to play two Test matches against the Kiwi team on this tour. The first Test will be played from 9 to 13 March at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. And the second Test will be played in Wellington from March 17 to March 21. The Kiwi team is already out of the final race this time. On the other hand, if the Sri Lankan team has to keep their hopes alive, then they will have to win the series by 2-0. On the other hand, Team India is also looking ready to defeat the Kangaroos by 4-0. In such a situation, Australia may have to be out too.
Let’s know what are the equations?
If Australia loses the last two matches against India in the current series, then its condition will be very bad. In the event of a 4-0 series loss, Australia’s winning percentage could drop to around 60 per cent from the current 66.67. On the other hand, the Indian team, which has now reached 61.66 to 64.06 percent, can reach 68 by winning the last two matches. On the other hand, if Sri Lanka wins both the matches against New Zealand, then its winning percentage can be 61 i.e. more than Australia if the Kangaroo team loses the Border Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0. That is, in that condition, the Australian team can also lose the place in the final of the World Test Championship.
Sri Lankan team’s squad for New Zealand series
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjay de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madhushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajita, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake.