ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027: State of Play

By Jonathan Healy

The next two months will have a major say on how the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle pans out as a number of sides go head-to-head in a crucial period ahead of the next final in 2027.

Two-time runner up India host South Africa in a two-match series that both teams will fancy their chances of picking up positive results, while the five-match Ashes series Down Under between Australia and England will be pivotal for a pair of sides that will harbour aspirations of finishing in the top two positions on the standings and qualifying for the one-off Ultimate Test.

We take a look at how each team stands early in the cycle and what lies ahead:

1. Australia

Played: Three
Wins: Three
Points Percentage: 100%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Travis Head (224 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Mitchell Starc (15 wickets)

Series remaining: ENG (5), NZ (4), BAN (2), SA (3), IND (5)

The 2023 World Test Championship winners made a perfect start to the cycle with a clean sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean in the middle of the year, but face a tougher ask when they host arch-rival England in a five-match series that commences in Perth on November 21.

The Aussies have won the two most recent Ashes series at home 4-0 and will be hoping for a similar result this time around to keep them at the top of the standings.

Following the series against England, Australia aren't scheduled to be back in Test action until the second half of 2026.

2. Sri Lanka

Played: Two
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 66.67%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Pathum Nissanka (369 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Tharindu Ratnayake (nine wickets)

Series remaining: IND (2), SA (2), WI (2), PAK (2), NZ (2)

The Asian side made an excellent start to the current campaign as they clinched a narrow 1-0 triumph over Bangladesh in the two-match series in June.

Tougher assignments await for Dhananjaya de Silva's side, with visits to the West Indies and Pakistan in 2026 among a group of tricky upcoming fixtures.

3. India

Played: Seven
Wins: Four
Points Percentage: 61.90%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shubman Gill (946 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Mohammed Siraj (33 wickets)

Series remaining: SA (2), AUS (5), SL (2), NZ (2)

India will be reasonably happy with the start they have made to the current campaign, with a 2-2 result in England followed by a clinical clean sweep of the West Indies at home.

A difficult series awaits at home against the Proteas, with the reigning World Test Championship winners still on a high from their victory over Australia at Lord's in June.

Away series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand await Shubman Gill's side in 2026, with the next installment of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia the final chance for India to make a push for another appearance in the final.

4. South Africa

Played: Two
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 50%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Tony de Zorzi (175 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Simon Harmer (13 wickets)

Series remaining: AUS (3), BAN (2), ENG (3), IND (2), SL (2)

South Africa showed some good signs when drawing their only series this cycle in Pakistan and will be looking to keep that momentum going when they travel to India for the two-match series that commences on November 14.

The backend of the cycle sees the Proteas travel just once - to Sri Lanka for a two-match series - so any points they can pick up in India will be seen as a bonus for the reigning champions.

5. Pakistan

Played: Two
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 50%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shan Masood, Agha Salmon (140 runs each)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Noman Ali (14 wickets)

Series remaining: SL (2), NZ (2), BAN (2), WI (2), ENG (3)

Pakistan split a pair of home Tests against South Africa to start the cycle and won't be seen again in red-ball cricket until 2026 when they travel to Bangladesh for another two-match series.

The side are also scheduled to take on the West Indies and England away from home in 2026 and will be aiming to pick up some positive results during these potentially tricky tours.

6. England

Played: Five
Wins: Two
Points Percentage: 43.33%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Joe Root (537 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Josh Tongue (19 wickets)

Series remaining: NZ (3), PAK (3), AUS (5), SA (3), BAN (2)

A 2-2 series result at home against India was a decent start to the cycle for Ben Stokes' side, who will be targeting an improved performance when they take on Australia in the battle for the Ashes from November 21.

It's been slim pickings for England in Australia in recent times and the side will need to pick up some positive results if they are to qualify for a first World Test Championship decider.

7. Bangladesh

Played: Two
Wins: Zero
Points Percentage: 16.66%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Najmul Hossain Shanto (300 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam (nine wickets each)

Series remaining: PAK (2), WI (2), ENG (2), SA (2), AUS (2)

A draw against Sri Lanka in Galle was enough for Bangladesh to pick up their first points of the cycle and Najmul Hossain Shanto's side will be looking for more when they travel to Pakistan for a two-match series in the first half of 2026.

Difficult away series in Australia and South Africa are also scheduled for Bangladesh next year alongside a visit from the West Indies for two Tests on home soil.

8. New Zealand

Played: Zero
Wins: Zero
Points Percentage: 0%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: N/A
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: N/A

Series remaining: WI (3), IND (2), SL (2), ENG (3), AUS (4), PAK (2)

The inaugural World Test Championship winners have had to wait for their first appearance this cycle, but are in action from the start of December for a three-match series at home against the West Indies.

Tom Latham's side are scheduled to travel to England and Australia in 2026 for difficult away series, with the visit from India for two Tests towards the end of next year another highlight on the Black Caps' upcoming calendar.

9. West Indies

Played: Five
Wins: Zero
Points Percentage: 0%

Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shai Hope (279 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Shamar Joseph (22 wickets)

Series remaining: SL (2), PAK (2), NZ (3), BAN (2)

The West Indies have shown glimpses so far this cycle, but series losses to Australia at home and India on the road mean the Caribbean side are still searching for their first points.

That may come during the upcoming three-match series in New Zealand, while the side are scheduled to host Sri Lanka and Pakistan for a pair of two-match series in 2026.