State of Play at the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27

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.

West Indies-Pakistan, Australia-Bangladesh, Sri Lanka-India, Engand-Pakistan are all set to take centre-stage in the coming weeks, making room for improvement in the standings.

We take a look at how the teams rack up 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.

Following the England series, Australia are not scheduled to return to Test action until the second half of 2026. 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.

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 BlackCaps 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 Pakistan are next before demanding away tours of Sri Lanka and Australia.

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 is followed by further opportunities against West Indies before much tougher away tours to 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 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 slow over-rate in their clashes, which have resulted in them taking significant docking of points.

They now need an exceptional finish, beginning with home series against Pakistan and Bangladesh before travelling to South Africa.

8. West Indies

Played: 10
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 15.00
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Justin Greaves (664 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Shamar Joseph (29 wickets)
Series remaining: PAK (2), BAN (2)

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.

Although they remain near the bottom of the standings, the result has improved their position heading into home series against Bangladesh and Pakistan later in the cycle.

Currently in a rebuilding phase under Roston Chase, West Indies will look to improve their fortunes, especially with their remaining assignments scheduled at home.

9. Pakistan

Played: Four
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 8.33
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Salman Agha (346 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Noman Ali (18 wickets)
Series remaining: SL (2), NZ (2), BAN (2), WI (2), ENG (3)

Pakistan opened their campaign with a drawn home series against South Africa before being beaten by Bangladesh 2-0 in an away series.

Tours to the West Indies and England in 2026 will test the side, while home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand offer opportunities to build momentum.