New Zealand has moved to the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table after a victory against South Africa in the NZ vs SA 1st Test. New Zealand crushed South Africa by 281 runs in the match. After the win, their win percentage increased to 66.66, helping them to clinch the peak position in the ICC World Test Championship points table.
New Zealand has displaced Australia from the top spot. The Aussies are now in the 2nd spot with a PCT of 55.0. India follows them in the next spot with a PCT of 52.77. While Australia accounts for 6 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw across 10 games, India has won 3 games, lost 2, and drawn 1 across 6 matches.
After the huge defeat against New Zealand, South Africa has moved down to the 6th spot in ICC World Test Championship points table. With 1 win and 3 defeats in 3 matches, Proteas has a win percentage of 33.33.
Above South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan hold 4th and 5th spots with win percentages of 50.0 and 36.33 respectively. Below is the updated ICC World Test Championship points table after NZ vs SA 1st Test.
Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After NZ vs SA 1st Test
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT | Series | No Result |
| 1 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 66.66 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Australia | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 55.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | India | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 38 | 52.77 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 33.33 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 33.33 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | England | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 25.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
(In the ICC WTC 2023-2025, teams will get 12 points for a win, 4 for a draw, and 6 for a tie. For slow over-rates teams will lose one championship point for each over-short. Teams will be ranked on the percentage of points won.)
West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka take the last three spots in ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. West Indies have a win percentage of 33.33 while England have 25.0. Sri Lanka has 0.0 PCT with 2 defeats in 2 games.
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New Zealand defeat South Africa by 281 runs in 1st Test
Meanwhile, New Zealand grabbed a massive victory by 281 runs against South Africa in the Bay Oval Test of the ongoing series. Batting first, the home side Kiwis posted a gigantic 511-10 in 1st innings with a double ton by Rachin Ravindra. Kane Williamson slammed a century.
Later, they bowled out South Africa for just 162 with 3 wickets each by Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner. Kyle Jamieson and Rachin Ravindra hunted 2 wickets each. In the 2nd innings, Kiwis declared at 179-4, setting a mammoth 529-run target for Proteas.
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Proteas succumbed to the pressure and were bowled out for just 247 and lost the match. David Bedingham slammed the most 87 runs for the visitors. Kyle Jamieson hunted 4 wickets this time. Rachin Ravindra was awarded the player-of-the-match award for his double ton and 2 wickets.
Meanwhile, New Zealand vs South Africa Test series consists of another match. Hence, South Africa can make a comeback in the next match to draw the series. They can also improve their ranks in ICC World Test Championship points table with a win in the next match. NZ vs SA 2nd Test begins on February 13 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
