South Africa are a step closer to making it into the final of the World Test Championship following their win over Sri Lanka at Gqeberha.
The hosts have completed a whitewash over Sri Lanka, winning the second Test on Monday (December 9). Batting first, South Africa posted 358 on the board following twin hundreds from Ryan Rickleton and Kyle Verreynne. Sri Lanka put up a strong fight, making 328 in response with Dane Paterson picking up five wickets.
South Africa extended their lead to 347 after another strong batting performance in the second innings, a target that proved too steep for the visitors. Sri Lanka were reduced to 122-5 at one stage and despite a recovery led by Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, they faltered in the end.
The win has now taken South Africa up to the top spot in the WTC table, with 76 points after 10 games in the ongoing competition. They have won six games they have played thus far and also have a draw, which earned them four points.
South Africa will play two more matches in the 2023/25 World Test Championship, against Pakistan in January. A win in at least one game will almost guarantee them a place in the final, to be held at Lord’s next year.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are fourth on the list, with a PCT of 45.45, just above England's 45.24.
World Test Championship 2023-25: Updated standings after South Africa’s series win over Sri Lanka
Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Penalties | Points | PCT |
1 | South Africa | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 76 | 63.33 |
2 | Australia | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | -10 | 102 | 60.71 |
3 | India | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | -2 | 110 | 57.29 |
4 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
5 | England | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | -22 | 114 | 45.24 |
6 | New Zealand | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | -3 | 69 | 44.23 |
7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | -8 | 40 | 33.33 |
8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | -3 | 45 | 31.25 |
9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
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