The 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship has been running interestingly from the early period of this competition cycle. We have already experienced many historic results that make this WTC cycle stunning in Test cricket history.

New Zealand tour of Bangladesh 2023/24

• The Test series started with Bangladesh’s 150-run win in the Sylhet Test. While it was the second Test win for Bangladesh against New Zealand, it was also their first home Test win against New Zealand. Previously, Bangladesh drew three home Tests and lost three home Tests against New Zealand. However, New Zealand levelled the series by winning the second or last Test by four wickets. 

Freedom Trophy 2023/24: India tour of South Africa 

• It was a two-match Test series. After South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion, India levelled the series by winning the last Test by seven wickets at Cape Town. It was India’s first Test win at Newlands, Cape Town, after previously recording two draws and four defeats. 

• In the meantime, it was the second time when India drew or didn’t lose a Test series in South Africa. Their previous Test series draw in South Africa was recorded in the 2010/11 season, where the three-match Test series ended by 1-1. India lost all other five Test series in South Africa.  

Frank Worrell Trophy 2023/24: West Indies tour of Australia

• It was a two-match Test series between the hosts Australia and the visitors West Indies. Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Test at Adelaide by 10 wickets. The Gabba, Brisbane, hosted the second Test of the series, where Australia lost only one Test (against India in 2021) since 1989. It was also a day/night pink ball Test match, where West Indies surprised everyone by winning the Test by eight runs. It was West Indies' first Test win against Australia after the 2003 St. John’s Test victory and the first Test win in Australia after the 1997 Perth Test victory. Meanwhile, West Indies previously won a Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane, in 1988.

• The Brisbane day/night pink-ball Test defeat was also Australia’s first day/night pink-ball Test defeat. Before that shocking defeat, Australia won all their previous 11 day/night pink-ball Tests. 

• After the 1999 home Test series draw, West Indies lost nine consecutive Test series against Australia before the latest Test series draw in Australia. On the other hand, after winning the 1992 Test series in Australia, West Indies lost six straight Test series in Australia before their latest away Test series draw.  
  

Anthony de Mello Trophy 2023/24: England tour of India

• It was the five-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors England. England won the first Test by 28 runs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. It was India’s first Test defeat at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, while they previously won four Tests and drew one Test at this venue. However, India won the Test series by 4-1 after winning all the next four Tests. 

Tangiwai Shield 2023/24: South Africa tour of New Zealand 

• It was a two-match Test series between the hosts New Zealand and the visitors South Africa. Mount Maunganui and Hamilton hosted the Test matches, where the hosts New Zealand won by 281 runs and seven wickets, respectively. While New Zealand won the Test series by 2-0, it was their first Test series win against South Africa. Previously, South Africa won 13 Test series against New Zealand and drew four Test series. 

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan 2024

• Before this Test series, Bangladesh never won a Test match against Pakistan. In 13 previous Test matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh lost 12 and drew once. However, Bangladesh won both the Test matches against Pakistan in the two-match Test series at Rawalpindi. After winning the first Test by 10 wickets, the visitors won the second Test by six wickets. 

• Bangladesh not only created history by winning a Test match in the series, but they also won the Test series by 2-0. After losing six consecutive Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh finally recorded their first Test series win against Pakistan. 

England tour of Pakistan 2024/25  

• It was the three-match Test series between the hosts Pakistan and the visitors England. After England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs at Multan, Pakistan won the second Test by 152 runs at Multan. It was Pakistan’s first home Test win since March 2022. Before that Test victory, Pakistan lost seven Tests and drew four Tests at home. 

• Rawalpindi hosted the last Test of the series, and Pakistan won the Test series by 2-1. It was the first time that Pakistan won a home Test series after trailing.

• Also, it was the second time that Pakistan won a Test series after trailing̣. During their Zimbabwe tour in 1994/95, Pakistan won the Test series by 2-1 after losing the Test series opener. 

New Zealand tour of India 2024/25

• It was the three-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors New Zealand. New Zealand won the first Test of the series by eight wickets at Bengaluru. It was New Zealand’s first Test win in India since December 1988. Before this win, New Zealand drew nine Tests and lost 10 Tests in India. 

• By winning the second Test by 113 runs at Pune, New Zealand recorded their first Test series win in India. New Zealand recorded their maiden Test series victory after 10 Test series defeats and two Test series draws in India. 

• It was India’s first Test series defeat since March 2022. During this period, India recorded six Test series wins and one Test series draw.

• It was India’s first Test series defeat at home since 2013. After losing the home Test series against England in late 2012, India won 18 successive home Test series before losing the latest home Test series against New Zealand. 

• India lost the three-match home Test series by 3-0. It was India’s first whitewash suffer in the home Test series with three or more Tests. Previously, India suffered a home Test series whitewash with two matches only once during the two-match home Test series against South Africa in 2000. 

New Zealand's inspiring 2-0 victory in the three-match Test series has put India's 24-year-long record in jeopardy. India are in real danger of conceding a rare 0-3 series defeat against the Black Caps. It is also the first time New Zealand have been able to manage a Test series win against India at home. With 0-2 down in the series, there is every possibility to consider that India may be on the brink of an embarrassing test series defeat.

India's last clean sweep in Test cricket at home came in the year 2000 against South Africa when they were hammered left, right, and center by a margin of 2-0. Since then, India has been rock solid at home and after 2012, the Indian soil turned out to be a graveyard for the visiting teams. But the shocking Test series defeat against New Zealand has through the Indian side under the bus. Latham and his men are on the verge of becoming the first team to whitewash India at home in a Test series after 24 long years.

India's woes ahead of the final NZ Test

New Zealand could be the first team after South Africa to hand a brutal test series whitewash to India since the year 2000. The big guns of India have failed to fire. Bumrah has failed to replicate the magic with the ball that he is so famously renowned for in both Tests. Moreover, Rohit and Virat's performance has been under the scanner and it has sure been a matter of concern ahead of the Australian tour. 

Washington Sundar's bowling performance in Pune offered a degree of relief, and it will be interesting to observe how the all-rounder performs in the final Test, should he be given the opportunity. The embarrassing Test series defeat at home has also put India's WTC qualification scenario in jeopardy. India will now have to win four out of their last six matches, five of them would be against Australia down under. What could have been a smooth ride is now turning out to be a huge nightmare for the Men in Blue. Rohit & Co. have their backs against the wall and will need to stage a comeback of sorts to end the series 1-2. 

Following the exit of Gary Kirsten, the door is left ajar for Aaqib Javed to assume the coaching responsibilities of the Pakistan cricket team as a head coach. Aaqib expressed his willingness to operate as a head coach for Pakistan in the white-ball arena recently. The 52-year-old is currently engaged with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a national selector. 

Kirsten handed his resignation on Monday due to growing unease and a difference of opinion between him and the PCB. It has been reported that the World Cup-winning coach spent very little time in Pakistan and had very limited on-ground involvement well below the contractually allowed 30 days of vacation. Now that the board has parted ways with Kirsten, Aaqib now has his ambitions set on securing a significant coaching role in the team

A surprise U-turn from Aaqib Javed  

As per sources, reports are now trickling through which suggests that Aaqib is not really interested in becoming the head coach but wants to mentor the budding players. There is a growing possibility that the national board may recruit him as the Director of High Performance in days to come. Aaqib had been at odds with Misbah-ul-Haq when he served as the selector and coach of the national team across all formats. Aaquib used to be a vocal critic of him and it is understood that it is due to this reason Aaib wants to stay away from the head coach position.

A senior Pakistani journalist named Saleem Khaliq confirmed these claims as he took to his X handle to state the same in Urdu. 

عاقب جاوید کو کوچ بننے میں ولچسپی نہیں ہے، ماضی میں جب مصباح الحق نے سلیکٹر اور کوچ کی دہری ذمہ داری سنبھالی تھی تب عاقب ان کے بڑے ناقدین میں شامل تھے،وہ نئے کھلاڑیوں کی رہنمائی کرنا چاہتے ہیں، پی سی بی آئندہ چند روز میں انھیں ڈائریکٹر ہائی پرفارمنس کی ذمہ داری سونپ سکتا ہے

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 29, 2024

A recent report from PTI suggested that senior selector Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are under consideration as possible successors to Gary Kirsten for the position of head coach for white-ball formats. According to an insider, Azhar Mahmood is expected to serve as interim head coach but that can change when Aaqib or Saqlain get appointed to the role.

Previously Aaqib successfully coached the Lankan team as a fast bowling coach earlier this year and has served as Lahore Qalandars' head coach in the PSL since 2017, leading them to successive titles in 2022 and 2023. 

It was a moment of joy for the visitors as South Africa produced a special victory against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur to take an early 1-0 lead in a two-match Test series. The match came to a close during the early hours of day four as South Africa managed to get the most out of the second new ball to wind up the Bangladeshi tail in quick time. Needing only a meager 106, South Africa comfortably got home with seven wickets to spare. Kyle Verreynne was the standout batter for South Africa as his 114 not only bailed the visitors out of imminent danger but also put them on the patch of an emphatic win. 

This victory also marked the first Test win for the Proteas in 10 years on Asia soil. The last time the African nation emerged victorious in the subcontinent was way back in 2014 against Sri Lanka in Galle. In the process, South Africa have also managed to put an end to their embarrassingly long losing streak of nine Tests on Asian soil. The losing streak was initiated during their tour to India from Nagpur in 2015.

Historic first Test win against Bangladesh since 2008

Rabada, Mulder, and Maharaj ran riot to snap three wickets apiece to obliterate Bangladesh for only 106. While doing so, Rabada also succeeded in getting past the 300 Test wickets landmark. But by the end of day one, thanks to some resilient bowling from Taijul, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 108-6. on day two, Verreynne put his hand up and along with the assistance of Mulder, started performing the repair work for the visitors. The pair batted under testing conditions to add a galloping 119 runs for the seventh wicket to virtually bat the hosts out of the game. 

After amassing a lead of 202 runs, the writing was on the wall for Bangladesh. Nevertheless, Mehidy and Taijul tried to battle it out to delay the inevitable but South Africa came top on day four to prevent the Bangladeshi lead from going much further beyond their control.   Verreynne did not have to bat again in the second innings as De Zorzi and Stubbs slammed steady cameos of 41 & 30 respectively to steer South Africa to a seven-wicket win.

Interestingly enough, this is also South Africa's maiden Test win in Bangladesh in 16 years. Their last away test win against the Tigers came in 2008 in Chattogram when Smith along with McKenzie starred with the bat to register a mammoth opening stand of 415 runs which at present is still the highest-ever recorded opening stand in Test cricket. 

This win has now bettered South Africa's chances of entering the WTC Final. As a result, South Africa have improved their PCT to 47.62% and have surpassed New Zealand in the WTC points table to acquire the fourth spot. 

It took a moment of absolute brilliance from Sarfaraz to dismiss Will Young who was batting nicely on 26 during the second Test of the three-match Test series in Pune. Yong had got a faint glove on the way while guiding the ball down the leg side off the bowling of Ashwin who came in to bowl from over the wicket. There was a hesitant appeal from team India at first which was swiftly dismissed by the umpire Richard Illingworth. But Sarfaraz, who was standing at leg slip was confident that he had heard something and pleaded with the Indian skipper to go for the review. 

Rohit at first was not confident about going upstairs but after intense pleading from Sarfaraz and several other close-in fielders, the Indian skipper signaled for the DRS referral. 

Watch the dismissal unfold here:

in #2nd_Test
Keeper Bowler Captain kisi ko nahi Suna
Sarfaraz khan Bola Please Mujh Par Bharosa Karo.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/wkyTUNmMqp

— A. Wahid (@A__Wahid) October 24, 2024

After winning the toss, the Kiwi skipper made the decision to bat first. The visitors made a steady start and were cruising along nicely at 76-1. The wicket fell during the last ball of the 24th over of the New Zealand innings. Ashwin was the bowler who floated a traditional off-break delivery outside the line of leg stump. Young tried to nude it fine down the leg side and Pant took a good take behind the stumps.

At first impression, it appeared that Young had not got anything on it. But the DRS review revealed that the ball was passing very close to his glove. Ultraedge was needed to ascertain whether there was any willow involved. Subsequently enough, the ultra-edge technology returned positive visuals for team India and its fans as the big screen showed a whisker of a spike when the ball passed close to his gloves.  

The on-field decision was overturned which helped India earn a vital second wicket to break the momentum of the visitors. At the time of writing, New Zealand concluded the first session by posting 92 for the loss of 2 wickets at Lunch with Ravindra and Conway still unbeaten. 

England are in the lead and they know look towards the future. They played their first home Tests without Broad or Anderson after 12 years. They still have a good amount of experience though with Mark Wood back and Chris Woakes kicking through well. The duo were the ones to change the flow of the game last year when they came back in the 3rd Test of the Ashes to draw the series.

West Indies has a tough way back though. They came back a few months ago to win at the Gabba but their bowling attack and batting line-up both remains inconsistent.

ENG vs WI Match Details

Date: July 18th, 2024

Time:  3:30 PM IST

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

ENG vs WI Weather Report

Pleasent weather with a few showers in the weekend are expected. The Test though should proceed without much interruptions.

ENG vs WI Pitch Report

The track has considerable grass cover but could get drier as the Test goes on. Batting second is likely to be better with batting expected to get easier.

ENG vs WI Head-to-Head

ENG vs WI Predicted Playing XI

ENG Playing XI

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood

WI Playing XI

Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis, Kirk Mckenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kevam Hodge, Joshua De Silva, Jason Holder, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

ENG vs WI Key Players

Gus Atkinson

Gus Atkinson had a really good debut, overshadowing the importance on Anderson’s retirement. He kept it simple, hit the right lengths and looks like a bowler to take care of for England.

Shamar Joseph

While one quick bows out another makes his way in. Shamar Joseph was phenomenal in Australia. He had Steve Smith under a lot of discomfort with his bowling and was the primary reason behind the Gabba win. He is at another iconic stadium and will be hoping to breach through it and run in happiness once more.

ENG vs WI Match Tips

England could be favorites with home advantage and a talented line-up.

Match Prediction: England Will Win The Match

Shubman Gill revealed his struggles during a challenging period. Despite playing six matches from the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia to the opening Test against England in Hyderabad, he failed to register a single half-century, with his highest score being 36.

Nevertheless, Gill experienced a resurgence in form with a magnificent 104 in the second innings of the Vizag Test. This pivotal innings helped India level the 5-match series with a commanding 106-run victory.

After Gill was dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the Rajkot Test, he bounced back with a resilient 91-run innings in the second. Prior to the fourth Test, Gill discussed the disparity between exceptional players and mediocre cricketers.

Gill’s Redemption: Overcoming Setbacks and Focusing on the Present

“In the pre-match press conference, Gill reflected, ‘It’s challenging when your mind is occupied with various thoughts. While I didn’t pay much heed to external expectations, I felt disheartened as I couldn’t meet my own standards. When given a second opportunity, it’s crucial to solely concentrate on the present and judge each ball on its own merits.'”

He continued, “The disparity between exceptional and average players lies in their ability to let go of the past and focus solely on the present moment.”

Gill has amassed 252 runs at an impressive average of 42 across three matches in the Test series against England. He currently ranks fourth among the top run-scorers in the series, following Yashasvi Jaiswal (545), Ben Duckett (288), and Ollie Pope (285).

The fourth Test is scheduled to commence from Friday, February 21, at the JSCA International Complex in Ranchi. With victories in the Vizag and Rajkot Tests, Rohit Sharma’s squad stands a significant chance of securing the series in Ranchi.

SEE ALSO:Rishabh Pant Commences Match-Simulation Training in Bengaluru

The World Test Championship cycle for 2021-23 is down to the final four matches in three series. Due to Australia’s impressive nine-wicket victory in Indore last week, which secured their spot, there are now only two teams competing for the final spot.

The World Test Championship cycle for 2021-23 is down to the final four matches in three series. Due to Australia’s impressive nine-wicket victory in Indore last week, which secured their spot, there are now only two teams competing for the final spot. A dead rubber will be played in one of the four matches that begin on Wednesday in Johannesburg between West Indies and South Africa. This indicates that the outcome of the Sri Lanka-New Zealand series, which begins on the same day as the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, will determine the final spot. How do India’s chances fit into this equation then?

After defeating the Proteas 2-0 in the home series, Australia was the clear favorite to win the tournament going into the match against India. However, India emerged as the front runner after two massive defeats, one by an innings and 123 runs in the first Test and the other by six wickets in the second Test.

India was expected to secure the spot for the second time in a row with a victory in Indore, whereas Australia was written off. However, the situation had changed, and Australia came back with a victory over a raging turner.

With 68.52 PCT, the tourists, who are still at the top of the WTC points table, secured their position. Australia has never qualified for the WTC final before

With 60.29 PCT, India is second in the WTC points table, but they haven’t made it to the final, where Asian rivals Sri Lanka, who are placed third, pose a threat. The following are the scenarios in which India might be able to qualify for the WTC Final:

1) If India win…they are through, irrespective of the results in the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand series.

2) If India and Sri Lanka draw, their PCT will fall to 52.9, but they could still advance if they fail to whitewash New Zealand.

3) If India loses, Rohit and his team would like New Zealand to win against Sri Lanka by a score of 2-0.

On March 9, the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy series match will begin in Ahmedabad.

South Africa are coming off a series of poor performances as they lost four of their last five Tests matches. They have a new leader in Temba Bavuma, who was one of the only players to come up with good performances in Australia. Dean Elgar, who struggled in Australia remains their opener, and after losing form and captaincy he will really be desperate to get back to rhythm.

West Indies too have a touch of desperation around them. While they did go a little better in their last few games they are ringing the changes as well with Shannon Gabriel back in the side.

Match Details

Date: February 28th 2023

Time:  1:30 PM IST

Venue: Centurion

SA vs WI Weather Report

The Weather at Centurion is pretty good for the upcoming game.

SA vs WI Pitch Report

In recent times the Centurion track has gone dry and could help the spinners more than the usual South African track.

SA vs WI Head-to-Head

Played- 30| South Africa-20 | West Indies- 3 | Draw- 7

SA vs WI Predicted Playing XI

South Africa Playing XI

Dean Elgar, Aiden Markaram, Keegan Peterson, Temba Bavuma, Tony De Zorzi, Henrich Klaasan, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

West Indies Playing XI

Kraigg Brathawaite, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Devon Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua De Silva, Roston Chase, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel

SA vs WI Key Players

Aiden Markaram

With Aiden Markaram finding his rhythm in the shorter formats, the South African team has decided to bring him back in all formats. In his early days he has proven himself as a talented batter and now with his return to Test Cricket, Markaram will be eager to hold his spot and make the spot at the top of the order his own.

Alzarri Joseph

Joseph was a lone warrior in Australia. With the ball the support he got was rather low given he was the only one in the side who could bowl with pure pace. Now, with another pacer capable of testing the speed guns, Joseph will have some cushion, but still remains their best chance of making an impact in South Africa.

SA vs WI Match Tips

South Africa are favorites given their home strength and West Indies poor record overseas, against the stronger nations.

Match Prediction: South Africa Will Win the Match

Former Australian head coach Justin Langer believes that India is the hardest country to play Test cricket, but Australia have a well-balanced side and they can beat the Rohit Sharma-led side to script history this time. Australia, which will play four Tests in India in February and March, have not won a Test series on Indian soil since 2004. The last Australian captain to win a Test series in India was Adam Gilchrist. Prior to that, Bill Lawry accomplished the feat in 1969.

When asked if he regretted not being a part of the touring party, Langer said he has moved on but is still eager to see Australia conquer India on the subcontinent. The 52-year-old was a member of Australia’s series victory in 2004 and feels the same way about the current squad. “It’s not sadness, I’ve moved on. I won’t be there, but I’ll be looking forward to seeing the boys win there. It’d be great if they could. I can’t wait to watch it. It’s the hardest tour.

Also Read: Rahul Dravid flies to Bengaluru due to health issues

Tough competition for India Team, as Australian seems balanced-Langer

I look back to 2004 when Australia won for the first time in 35 years, it has a similar feel about it,” Langer said while speaking to The Age. Langer also stated that Australia have a well-balanced team with plenty of experience in the top four, as well as a dynamic middle-order batter in Travis Head and a potent fast-bowling attack. “It was a very balanced and confident team. The current team are winning and I think they’re a huge chance to beat India. That was my Mt Everest tour. I always said I wanted to be able to do it again because it was so hard to do.

“Australia have two senior pros at the top. They’ve got No.3 and No.4, averaging 60 and they’re best mates. They’re hungry and they play spin well. Travis Head is batting at a different level. He’s been inspired by that top four. Cameron Green will hopefully come back in, which gives really good balance. You’ve got the best fast bowling attack in the world and you’ve got the best spinner in the world. My gosh, they have an incredibly well-balanced team,” Langer added.