Australian Cricket Team. (Photo Source: BCCI)
Australia completed a dominant nine-wicket win over India in the third Test at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore as they chased down the target of 76 in the first session on Day 3. Travis Head’s counter-attacking knock of unbeaten 49 off 53 took Australia home after they lost opener Usman Khawaja on just the second ball of the day.
Head was well supported by Marnus Labuschagne, who remained unbeaten on 28, as the duo put together a match-winning stand of 78 for the second wicket. With this win, Australia registered their first win of the tour and are now 1-2 behind in the four-match series.
Nathan Lyon was awarded Player of the Match for his match figures of 11/99 in the game. He registered his second-best bowling figures in an innings as he picked up 8/64 in the second innings to dismiss India on 163.
Following Australia’s win, there have been several changes in the World Test Championship Points Table. They maintain their position at the top of the table, having a points percentage of 68.52 with 11 wins to their name. Courtesy of this win, Australia have qualified for the WTC final which will be played from June 7 at the Oval in London.
After their loss in the third Test, India are still on the second spot in the points table with a points percentage of 60.29 with 10 wins to their name. They will now need to win the final Test of the ongoing series against Australia to seal their spot in the WTC final.
Sri Lanka need to win their remaining two Tests to qualify
If India fail to win the last Test, they will have to depend on the results of the upcoming New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test series beginning on March 9. Sri Lanka, who are still in the race for the WTC final, are ranked third in the points table with a win percentage of 53.33 having five wins.
They need to win both of their remaining two Tests against New Zealand to qualify the WTC final. If they fail to win any of the remaining two matches, they will get knocked out and India will qualify.
Here is how the WTC Points Table reads after Australia’s win-
Team
PCT
Points
Won
Lost
Draw
1
Australia
68.52
136
11
3
4
2
India
60.29
123
10
5
2
3
Sri Lanka
53.33
64
5
4
1
4
South Africa
52.38
88
7
6
1
5
Engalnd
46.97
124
10
8
4
6
Pakistan
38.10
64
4
5
4
7
West Indies
37.5
54
4
6
2
8
New Zealand
27.27
36
2
6
3
9
Bangladesh
11.11
16
1
10
1
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