New Delhi: The World Test Championship 2025-27 will be back in action on Saturday, when West Indies take on Pakistan. Last campaign's runners-up Australia head the standings in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle with seven wins coming in eight games.
South Africa are not further away, placing themselves second with 36 points from four games. As the cycle enters a crucial phase, the teams now look to strengthen their case for a top-two finish, according to the ICC website.
Series featuring Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, and England-Pakistan are all set to take centre-stage in the coming weeks, making room for improvement in the standings.
1. Australia
Played: Eight
Wins: Seven
Points Percentage: 87.50
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Travis Head (853 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Mitchell Starc (46 wickets)
Series remaining: BAN (2), SA (3), NZ (4), IND (5)
The 2023 World Test Championship winners have made a near-perfect start to the cycle. A series sweep over West Indies in the Caribbean was followed by a dominant Ashes retention at home.
With just one loss - the Boxing Day Test - Australia are firmly on course for a third WTC final appearance.
Having not played a Test since January 2026, Australia finally return to Test action against Bangladesh in August. Challenging away tours to India and South Africa await later in the cycle, while New Zealand are set to visit them towards the end of 2026 for a four-Test series.
2. South Africa
Played: Four
Wins: Three
Points Percentage: 75.00
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Tony de Zorzi (278 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Simon Harmer (30 wickets)
Series remaining: AUS (3), BAN (2), ENG (3), SL (2)
The defending champions have underlined their credentials with a commanding 2-0 away series win over India - their first success on Indian soil in 25 years.
Having also drawn a series against Pakistan, the Temba Bavuma-led side has already navigated two challenging away tours, emerging with three wins.
Testing home assignments await, with Australia and England set to visit later in the cycle. South Africa have made a strong start, but there is still significant work ahead in their title defence.
3. New Zealand
Played: Six
Wins: Four
Points Percentage: 72.22
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Devon Conway (676 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Jacob Duffy (23 wickets)
Series remaining: IND (2), SL (2), AUS (4), PAK (2)
The inaugural WTC champions had to wait for their first outing this cycle but made an immediate impact against the West Indies.
After a hard-fought high-scoring draw, New Zealand bounced back with a clinical nine-wicket win before sealing the series emphatically with a 323-run victory in the third Test.
The Black Caps strengthened their position near the top of the standings with a memorable 2-1 away series victory over England.
After losing the opening Test, New Zealand bounced back with successive victories to finish the tour strongly and improve to four wins from six matches this cycle.
Home series against India and Sri Lanka are on the horizon along with demanding away tours of Australia and Pakistan.
4. Bangladesh
Played: Four
Wins: Two
Points Percentage: 58.33
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Najmul Hossain Shanto (532 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Taijul Islam (22 wickets)
Series remaining: WI (2), ENG (2), SA (2), AUS (2)
Bangladesh have made a competitive start to the cycle despite losing their opening series in Sri Lanka.
Their victories have kept them firmly in contention heading into a crucial run of fixtures.
A home series win against Pakistan provides the right boost to the side. They'll face West Indies and England at home, whereas they have challenging away assignments in South Africa and Australia.
5. India
Played: Nine
Wins: Four
Points Percentage: 48.15
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shubman Gill (950 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Mohammed Siraj (39 wickets)
Series remaining: AUS (5), SL (2), NZ (2)
After a high-octane drawn series against England, India find themselves under pressure following a 0-2 home series defeat to South Africa. The two-time WTC runners-up have reached the halfway stage of their campaign with ground to make up.
With their points percentage dipping below 50, India have little margin for error moving forward.
Away series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand are next, followed by the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home as they chase a third final appearance.
6. Sri Lanka
Played: Four
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 41.67
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Pathum Nissanka (374 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Asitha Fernando (15 wickets)
Series remaining: IND (2), SA (2), PAK (2), NZ (2)
Sri Lanka opened the cycle with a series victory over Bangladesh but were unable to build on that momentum, losing their subsequent home series to West Indies.
With only one win from four Tests, they face an uphill battle as difficult series against India, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan still lie ahead.
7. England
Played: 13
Wins: Four
Points Percentage: 24.36
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Joe Root (1108 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Josh Tongue (45 wickets)
Series remaining: PAK (3), SA (3), BAN (2)
England's hopes of reaching a maiden WTC Final have taken another significant blow following a 2-1 home series defeat to New Zealand.
Having also lost the Ashes 4-1, England have won just four of their 13 Tests this cycle and sit seventh in the standings.
They have also been docked points for maintaining a slow over-rate in their clashes, which have resulted in them taking significant point deductions.
They now need an exceptional finish, beginning with a home series against Pakistan before travelling to South Africa and Bangladesh, to make a mark on the standings.
8. Pakistan
Played: Six
Wins: Two
Points Percentage: 22.22
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Babar Azam (439 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Mohammad Abbas, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan (18 wickets each)
Series remaining: SL (2), NZ (2), ENG (3)
Pakistan moved up from the bottom spot after a strong comeback in the West Indies. Following a defeat in the first Test, Pakistan bounced back emphatically, securing an eight-wicket victory in the second Test to level the series 1-1.
Earlier, Pakistan opened their campaign with a drawn home series against South Africa before being beaten by Bangladesh 2-0 in an away series.
An upcoming tour to England will test the side, while home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand offer opportunities to build momentum.
9. West Indies
Played: 12
Wins: Two
Points Percentage: 20.83
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shai Hope (792 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Shamar Joseph (35 wickets)
Series remaining: BAN (2)
West Indies secured their second win of the cycle in the first Test against Pakistan but failed to carry that momentum into the second. The drawn series saw them slip to the bottom of the World Test Championship standings.
Earlier, West Indies earned a timely boost with a 1-0 series victory in Sri Lanka, securing their first win of the cycle after drawing the second Test.
Currently in a rebuilding phase under captain Roston Chase, West Indies will be hoping to finish the cycle on a strong note when they face Bangladesh in their final series of the campaign.
