New Zealand Now Officially Out of the WTC Race

After England's 323-run victory over the hosts New Zealand, dim hopes of reaching the finals have already vanished. Their chances have decreased after losing the series with two consecutive defeats from England. Now, mathematically, it's impossible in any scenario with crushing defeats. 

WTC Points Table 

After the defeat, New Zealand slipped to sixth place in the table, with 44.23%. Despite a historic clean sweep(3-0) against India in their country after decades, New Zealand is not in the race to the finals. In addition to the two consecutive defeats, the three-point deduction due to the slow over-rate in the Christchurch test has harmed them, worsening their situation. 

While New Zealand still has one test left, even if they win it, they cannot surpass the 60% mark, which mathematically ends their journey in the WTC.

Other remaining teams in the race

After New Zealand's defeat and England's already dim chances, the focus is now on the top four teams. After the dominating clean sweep against Sri Lanka, South Africa has reached the top of the table with 63.33%. While in the Border-Gavaskar trophy, Australia made a comeback in the day-night test match at Adelaide; with the help of this, Australia jumped to the second position, while India declined to the third spot after the defeat. The ongoing series between Australia and India will decide which team will advance to the finals.

Crowe -Thorpe Trophy 2024

New Zealand has lost both matches of the series till now; in the first test, England won the game by eight wickets, in the first and second innings of the match, New Zealand scored 348 and 254 runs, respectively, with Kane Williamson 93 and Glenn Phillips 58 in the first innings, in its response England scored a massive total of 499 with an exceptional performance of Harry Brooks with 177 along with Ollipe Pope's 77 and Ben stokes' 80. In the second inning, the Black Caps only scored 254 in front of England's 151-run lead. England chased the target of 104, losing only two wickets.

Bryndon Carse became the match's hero with his maiden ten-wicket haul.

In the recently finished second test match, England dominantly won with 323 runs. Harry Brook scored a century in the first and fifty in the second innings. In the second innings, Joe Root scored a century with 90+ scores of Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett. In the bowling department, Gus Atkinson took his first international hat-trick. Except for Tom Blundell, everyone struggled in the humongous 583 chase.

England's Heros Of the Series

Harry Brook, who scored two centuries and one fifty in the series, along with the support of Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, is leading England's batting from the front. On The Bowling Side, Bryndon Carse and Gus Atkinson lead the team in bowling.