New Zealand top WTC standings as South Africa climb to second

New Zealand moved to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings after South Africa rose to second in recent Test series, icc-cricket.com said.

Australia, the 2023 champions, dropped to third after losing their three-Test series 2-1 in South Africa.

New Zealand have played six Tests this cycle, winning four, for a points percentage of 72.22 percent.

The Black Caps won 2-1 away against England and followed a drawn high-scoring Test against the West Indies with a nine-wicket win and a 323-run victory in the third Test, the ICC said.

Devon Conway has scored 676 runs for New Zealand this cycle, the most of any player, while Jacob Duffy has taken 23 wickets.

South Africa have won five of their seven Tests, giving them a points percentage of 71.43 percent.

The Proteas came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Australia, with wins in Gqeberha and a 176-run victory in Cape Town.

Ryan Rickelton has scored 435 runs and Simon Harmer has taken 42 wickets for South Africa in the cycle.

Australia have won nine of their 13 Tests, with a points percentage of 69.23 percent, and Travis Head leads the cycle with 1,124 runs while Mitchell Starc has 73 wickets.

India have won five of 11 Tests for a points percentage of 51.52 percent, after losing 0-2 at home to South Africa and then winning 1-0 in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh have three wins from eight Tests, a points percentage of 45.83 percent, and dropped points after a drawn final Test against the West Indies.

The West Indies took the series 1-0 on away soil, gaining points that matter in the standings, while Bangladesh now face a tour of South Africa.

The World Test Championship runs on a two-year cycle, with the top two teams in the standings competing for a place in the final.

The ICC has said that the teams now have to strengthen their positions for a top-two finish as the cycle enters its crucial phase.

Current ICC WTC Standings