New Zealand secured a stunning 423-run victory against England in the third Test at Hamilton, finishing the series with a dominant win. Despite England having already won the series by winning the first two Tests, New Zealand’s powerful performance ended on a high. This win helped New Zealand climb to fourth place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Key Moments from the Match
- New Zealand’s Strong Performance: New Zealand dismissed England for just 234 runs in their second innings. The Black Caps showed great skill in both batting and bowling throughout the match.
- Mitchell Santner’s Contribution: Santner took 4 wickets for 85 runs in the second innings and played an important role with both the bat and the ball.
- England’s Fightback: Jacob Bethell (76) and Joe Root (54) fought hard, but their efforts weren’t enough against the pressure from New Zealand’s bowlers.
- Harry Brook’s Achievement: Harry Brook was named the Player of the Series after scoring 350 runs across the series.
ICC WTC Standings After the Match
New Zealand’s victory moved them into fourth place in the World Test Championship table, while England dropped to sixth. However, both teams are no longer in the race for the 2025 WTC Final, as other teams have accumulated more points.
ICC World Test Championship Table
Here is the current standings after New Zealand’s victory:
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | Points | Pts% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 63.33% |
| 2 | Australia | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 102 | 60.71% |
| 3 | India | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 110 | 57.29% |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 81 | 48.21% |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45% |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 114 | 43.18% |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33% |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 31.25% |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 24.24% |
Teams That Could Qualify for the 2025 ICC WTC Final
Although New Zealand and England are out of the race, there are still several teams fighting for a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship Final. Here are the teams with the best chances of qualifying:
- South Africa – They are currently in first place with 63.33% points percentage, and their remaining matches will be crucial for maintaining their position.
- Australia – With 60.71%, Australia is a strong contender, and their performance in the next few series will determine their final standing.
- India – With 57.29%, India is also in the running. They need consistent wins to stay in the top positions.
Summary
The victory for New Zealand over England was a strong finish to their campaign in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle. Although they won’t be making it to the final, they can take pride in their performance, especially in the third Test. Teams like South Africa, Australia, and India are now the top contenders for the 2025 WTC Final.
