Sri Lanka recorded a cleansweep over New Zealand to improve their WTC standings on Sunday. (AP)
Sri Lanka completed an emphatic innings and 154-run win over New Zealand in the second Test at Galle, securing a 2-0 series sweep to improve their standings on the ICC World Test Championship standings on Sunday.
With their fifth win in nine matches in the WTC 2023-25 cycle, Sri Lanka bettered their points percentage (PCT) from 50 to 55.55 percent. Meanwhile, the Kiwis slid down from the fourth spot to seventh, behind England, Bangladesh and South Africa. Pakistan and West Indies occupy the last two spots.
Two-time finalists India and defending champions Australia lead the WTC standings, with PCTs of 71.67 and 62.50. India, who could endure a draw against Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur, can see their PCTs drop to 68.18 without an outright win.
Sri Lanka are next slated to tour South Africa for two Tests before hosting Australia in January. The BlackCaps will next face India in a three-match Test series, starting in Bengaluru on October 16.
Here is a look at the updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table 2023-25 after Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test
Standings as of September 29, 2024
| Pos. | Team | Matches | Points deducted | Contested | Points Won | PCT | |||
| P | W | L | D | ||||||
| 1 | India | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 120 | 86 | 71.67 |
| 2 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 144 | 90 | 62.5 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 60 | 55.55 |
| 4 | England | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 19 | 192 | 81 | 42.19 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 33 | 39.29 |
| 6 | South Africa | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 72 | 28 | 38.89 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 36 | 37.5 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 84 | 16 | 19.05 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 108 | 20 | 18.52 |
