New Zealand became the first team to qualify for the World Test Championship final scheduled to take place in England as the upcoming Test series between Australia and South Africa has been called off.
Cricket Australia valued the series in terms of the team’s chances in South Africa and subsequently reaching the finals of the Test championship, but the health concerns overweighed the opportunity of cricket in the country.
“This decision has not been made lightly and we are extremely disappointed, especially given the importance of continuing international cricket at this time, our valued relationship with CSA, and our aspirations to compete in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship,” CA said in its statement.
Now, New Zealand will wait for the outcome of the upcoming Test series between India and England to find out their opponent in the marquee clash that will take place at the Lord’s.
India are at the top of the ICC World Test Championship table with 430 points from five series, while England are fifth on the table with 412 points from the same number of series. If India can defeat the tourists at least by a margin of 2-0, or 2-1 2-0 the upcoming series, they will face the Blackcaps at Lord’s or else if the tourists can outsmart the hosts by 4-0, 3-0 or 3-1, they can seal a berth in the final.
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