England win helps Aussies

Australia’s path to the World Test Championship final is a little clearer with wins through the rest of the home summer now enough to wrap up a spot before going to India.

Pat Cummins’ team had always been in the box seat to reach the 2023 decider after a big 2022, but England’s thrilling final-hour win over Pakistan on Monday has now made that easier.

Pakistan’s loss means that Australia is four wins away from reaching the decider at The Oval next June, with a percentage of 63 now enough to guarantee qualification.

That means it could in theory come during the home summer, with one match against West Indies before three against South Africa in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Such an outcome would be a massive boost for Australia, given its recent record in India where it has won just one series in the past 52 years.

Players have spoken at length about their desire to reach this year’s final, after being denied a spot in the 2021 decider due to a four-point penalty for slow over-rates.

“It felt like a big missed opportunity that first one,” Cummins said last week.

“It probably didn’t hit us until the game was actually played and you saw over there New Zealand did well and you wish you were there.

“So it feels like second time around it’s got a little bit more on it.”

If Australia do qualify, it will make next year’s trip to England for the Ashes a sixTest tour with the WTC final currently slated for June 6-11.

The first Ashes Test would then follow from June 16 at Edgbaston.

Other scenarios that allow Australia to progress would include losing a Test to South Africa or West Indies, but winning at least one of the four matches in India.

Drawing once at home this summer as well as one in India would also allow Cummins’ men to go through, provided other likely results go in their favour.

That would include Pakistan not winning both of its remaining Tests against England, or New Zealand drawing or winning at least one Test at home this summer against Pakistan and fellow contender Sri Lanka.

The Test Championship final is contested by the two top teams from the 2021-23 cycle, with the table sorted by a percentage scored from all points available to a side.

▯ WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Australia: 72.73 per cent (One Test v West Indies, Three v South Africa, Four v India to come)

South Africa: 60 (Three Tests v Australia, Two v West Indies)

Sri Lanka: 52.33 (Two Tests v New Zealand)

India: 52.08 (Two Tests v Bangladesh, Four v Australia)

Pakistan: 46.67 (Two Tests v England, Two v New Zealand)

West Indies: 45 (One Test v Australia, Two v South Africa)

England: 41.67 (Two Tests v Pakistan)

New Zealand: 25.93 (Two Tests v Pakistan, Two v Sri Lanka

Bangladesh: 13.33 (Two Tests v India)