State of Play as ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 resumes 

By Anushka Karnail

The last stretch of action in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle saw a clinical Australia side dominate the The Ashes at home, sealing a 4-1 win and further strengthening their hold at the top of the standings.

Their neighbours, New Zealand, sit second after a convincing 2-0 home series win over West Indies.

As the cycle enters a crucial phase the teams now look to strengthen their case for a top-two finish.

With Bangladesh taking on Pakistan from May 8, the WTC returns after almost five months. We take a look at where each team stands and what lies ahead:

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 towards the end of 2026.

2. New Zealand

Played: Three
Wins: Two
Points Percentage: 77.78
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Devon Conway (452 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Jacob Duffy (23 wickets)
Series remaining: IND (2), SL (2), ENG (3), AUS (4), PAK (2)

The inaugural WTC champions had to wait for their first outing this cycle but made an immediate impact against 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.

That run lifted them above South Africa in the standings. Major assignments lie ahead, including away tours to England and Australia in 2026, along with a home series against India later in the year.

3. 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.

4. 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 (9 wickets)
Series remaining: IND (2), SA (2), WI (2), PAK (2), NZ (2)

Sri Lanka began their campaign with a 1-0 series win over Bangladesh.

The road ahead, however, presents tougher challenges. Tours to the West Indies and Pakistan in 2026 are among the key fixtures, while India and South Africa are also scheduled to visit during the cycle.

5. Pakistan

Played: Two
Wins: One
Points Percentage: 50.00
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shan Masood, Salman Agha (170 runs each)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Noman Ali (14 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 and now travel to Bangladesh for a two-match series.

Away 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.

6. 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)

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.

7. England

Played: Ten
Wins: Three
Points Percentage: 31.67
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Joe Root (937 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Josh Tongue (37 wickets)
Series remaining: NZ (3), PAK (3), SA (3), BAN (2)

England began their campaign with a 2-2 home series draw against India but have since struggled, losing four of five Tests against Australia.

They now face a crucial period, with home series against New Zealand and Pakistan followed by a tour of South Africa in December. A strong turnaround will be essential if they are to reach their first-ever WTC final.

8. 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 (9 wickets each)
Series remaining: PAK (2), WI (2), ENG (2), SA (2), AUS (2)

A draw in Galle helped Bangladesh register their first points of the cycle, despite losing the series to Sri Lanka.

They now take on Pakistan in a two-match series starting May 8, with tougher challenges ahead including away tours to Australia and South Africa. Home fixtures against West Indies and England later in the cycle will also be key.

9. West Indies

Played: Eight
Wins: Zero
Points Percentage: 4.19
Leading run-scorer this cycle: Shai Hope (534 runs)
Leading wicket-taker this cycle: Shamar Joseph (22 wickets)
Series remaining: SL (2), PAK (2), BAN (2)

West Indies have endured a difficult campaign so far, losing seven of their eight Tests, including series defeats to Australia at home and India and New Zealand away.

Their only bright spot came in Christchurch, where they produced a fighting draw with the highest fourth-innings total in over 80 years.

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