New World Test Championship leaders following easy New Zealand triumph

Thursday, 8 February 2024 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Inaugural ICC World Test Championship winners New Zealand have boosted their chances of appearing at next year’s final by moving to the top of the standings with a comprehensive 281-run victory over South Africa on Wednesday.

The Kiwis dominated the Mount Maunganui contest to cruise to victory late on the fourth day and in the process moved ahead of the finalists from the second edition in Australia and India, and now sit top of the current standings with a 66.66% points percentage.

New Zealand have only played three Tests during this current World Test Championship cycle, with a 1-1 drawn series in Bangladesh towards the end of last year coupled with a victory over the Proteas in the first Test at home ensuring the 2021 champions claim top place on the standings.

Last year’s champions Australia drop to second following the result at Bay Oval, with India falling to third and South Africa plunging back to seventh and below fourth-placed Bangladesh, Pakistan in fifth and the West Indies in sixth.

A superb double century from Rachin Ravindra and a pair of tons from Kane Williamson saw New Zealand dominate the match with the bat, while pacer Kyle Jamieson and spinner Mitchell Santner each collected six wickets for the match against a disappointing South Africa outfit.

The teams will be back in action when the second Test gets underway in Hamilton from 13 February.