Mumbai: On March 3, the Indian cricket team rose to the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 points table. This elevation was triggered by Australia’s win over New Zealand in the first Test of their series.
Australia’s convincing 172-run victory enabled India to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC WTC standings.
Australia beat New Zealand by 172 runs in NZ vs AUS 1st Test
Australia made 383 runs in their first innings, driven by an outstanding 174 not out from Cameron Green, while Matt Henry claimed 5 wickets for New Zealand.
Australia’s Lyon got four wickets for 43 runs, while New Zealand battled to score 179 runs in their first innings, led by Phillips (71 runs).
Nathan Lyon scored 41 runs in Australia’s second innings of 164 runs; Todd Phillips of New Zealand claimed five wickets for 45 runs.
On day four, New Zealand scored 196 runs, with Rachin Ravindra scoring 59, to chase a target of 369. Lyon grabbed six wickets for 65 runs for Australia. Australia eventually won by a total of 172 runs.
Australia’s hero of the moment was Nathan Lyon. With 6 wickets for 65 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 43 runs in the second, Lyon’s outstanding performance resulted in an astonishing 10-wicket haul. His feat is the first time a spinner has taken ten wickets in New Zealand since 2006.
Check below the updated ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 points table after AUS vs NZ 1st Test in Wellington
| Rank | Team | Matches | Won | Loss | Draw | Points Achieved | PCT (%) |
| 1. | India | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 62 | 64.58 |
| 2. | New Zealand | 5 | 3 | 2 | – | 36 | 60 |
| 3. | Australia | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 78 | 59.09 |
| 4. | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 12 | 50 |
| 5. | Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | – | 22 | 36.66 |
| 6. | West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 33.33 |
| 7. | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | 12 | 25 |
| 8. | England | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 19.44 |
| 9. | Sri Lanka | 2 | – | 2 | – | – | – |
Here’s how India can maintain the number 1 position in the WTC Points Table
If India wins the fifth and final Test in the IND versus ENG series, which is set to start in Dharamshala on March 7, they will be able to hold the top rank in the ICC WTC Points Table. Nonetheless, Australia and New Zealand could surpass India as the top two teams in the WTC 2023–25 points table if the fifth Test between India and England concludes in a draw or if England wins.
The second Test between Australia and New Zealand will also start in Christchurch on Friday, March 8.
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