World Test Championships: Check Out WTC Qualification Scenes For All Teams Ahead Of Two Crucial Series

WTC Finals: With six teams still in contention to make it to the finals of the World Test Championships, two crucial test series are lined up which will be important in deciding which teams stay in contention for the finals. 

Table toppers at the moment, Australia are set to take on West Indies in a two-match test series at home and would look to win to concrete their lead which is narrow at the moment in the WTC points table. 

Pakistan are scheduled to host England for a 3-match test series as the Babar Azam-led side would look to further their chances to make it to the WTC finals. 

Let's take a look at all the possibilities for all 4 sides to make it to the WTC final at The Oval next year. 

Australia – Currently first on the points table; 70% PCT (Can reach as high as 84%)

Pat Cummins-led Australian team have more series remaining than other teams in this WTC cycle and can work in their favor for qualifying for the finals. 

However, Australia are set to tour India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy which will be a challenge for them. Understandably, Australia will go all in to win the home series against West Indies and South Africa to build a stronger case for the finals. 

Australia squad vs West Indies: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

West Indies – Currently sixth on the points table; 50% PCT (Can reach as high as 65%)

West Indies have two more test series remaining in this cycle of the World Test Championship and are still mathematically in contention to reach the finals. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led side is scheduled to play two-test series in Australia and South Africa and 4 victories can still further their cause for WTC finals. 

West Indies squad vs Australia: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas.

Pakistan – Currently fifth on the points table; 51.85% PCT (Can reach as high as 69%)

Pakistan are still in contention to qualify for the finals with two test series remaining at home. Pakistan have registered just 4 wins from 9 test matches in this WTC cycle so far and will have to win the majority of the remaining 5 tests if they want to reach the finals. 

Pakistan squad vs England: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Nawaz, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Ali.

England – Currently seventh on the points table; 38.6% PCT (Can reach as high as 47%)

Even though England are out of contention for the WTC final to be played next year, they can still decide Pakistan's fate regarding the same. 

The three-match series in Pakistan is the only series Ben Stokes-led English side have remaining in this WTC cycle, and they will look to finish the campaign on a high note. England have included 18-year-old leg spinner Rehan Ahmed in their squad for the test series against Pakistan and will become the youngest player to debut for England in Men's test if he gets a chance to play against Pakistan.

Check current WTC Points Table here!

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England squad to play Pakistan: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Rehan Ahmed.