How each team can make the World Test Championship final

There's still plenty of water to go under the bridge before we know which teams will be battling it out in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next June. 

There are now seven Tests of consequence (spread across three series) to come, with the ongoing series between Australia and India going to be crucial in deciding the race's outcome. 

Australia's win over India in Adelaide saw them jump ahead of the Indians and into second spot on the WTC standings while South Africa have gone top after two big wins over Sri Lanka.  

The dream isn't over for India or Sri Lanka either, but New Zealand and Pakistan have officially had their quest for June's decider snuffed out.  

1. South Africa

P 10 | W 6 | D 1 | L 3 | Pen 0 | Points 76 | PCT% 63.33

Remaining Tests: Two v Pakistan (home)

Form guide (most recent first): W W W W W D 

South Africa were fifth before the first Test series against Sri Lanka but have jumped up to top spot following two very impressive wins at home.

A single victory in either of their two remaining Tests at home against Pakistan will secure their spot in the WTC Final for the first time. 

2. Australia

P 14 | W 9 | D 1 | L 4 | Pen -10 | Points 102 | PCT% 60.71

Remaining Tests: Three v India (home), two v Sri Lanka (away)

Form guide: W L W W L W 

The good news for Australia, after their win over India in Adelaide, is that their run home has been simplified because of Sri Lanka's loss to South Africa.

Should Australia win two more Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (for a series result of 4-1, 3-1 or 3-2), that will be enough to make the WTC Final and eliminate India in the process. 

Because with two more victories in the ongoing series, even a 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka next year would have Australia's percentage at a minimum of 55.26, which would be more than India's maximum (53.51) and Sri Lanka's (53.85). 

So the earliest we could know the finalists would be after the Boxing Day Tests (Australia v India and South Africa v Pakistan) later this month. 

If Australia lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they can still progress with wins in Sri Lanka. 

3. India

P 16 | W 9 | D 1 | L 6 | Pen -2 | Points 110 | PCT% 57.29

Remaining Tests: Three v Australia (away)

Form guide: L W L L L W 

The loss in Adelaide was a massive blow for India's chances. 

So many of India's permutations come down to the result of Sri Lanka v Australia next year now, so all they can do is bank as many wins as possible. 

A 4-1 win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy would guarantee India a spot in the final, anything worse than that leaves their fate out of their hands. 

4. Sri Lanka

P 11 | W 5 | D 0 | L 6 | Pen 0 | Points 60 | PCT% 45.45

Remaining Tests: Two v Australia (home)

Form guide: L L W W W L  

Sri Lanka's 0-2 loss to South Africa isn't the end of the world for the plucky Lankans. But, they'll need a massive favour from Pakistan to make it happen. 

If Pakistan win both Tests against South Africa, and then Sri Lanka defeat Australia 2-0 at home, SL would go through regardless of the result of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

But if South Africa manage a win in either home Test against Pakistan, it's curtains for Sri Lanka. 

Eliminated

5. England

P 21 | W 11 | D 1 | L 9 | Pen -22 | Points 114 | PCT% 45.24

Remaining Tests: One v New Zealand (away)

It looks like England's slow over rates (costing them 22 points in total) could cost them a spot in the WTC Final. Without the deductions (and with a win in their last Test against NZ) they'd be sitting on a percentage of 56.06, which is likely to be enough for a top two spot.  

6. New Zealand

P 13 | W 6 | D 0 | L 7 | Pen -3 | Points 69 | PCT% 44.23

Remaining Tests: One v England (home)

New Zealand's historic 3-0 victory over India is now firmly in the rearview mirror after two thumping losses to England. 

7. Pakistan

P 10 | W 4 | D 0 | L 6 | Pen -8 | Points 40 | PCT% 33.33

Remaining Tests: Two v South Africa (away), two v West Indies (home)

South Africa's win over Sri Lanka has ended Pakistan's chances, barring any penalties for the Proteas. Pakistan can go to a percentage of 52.38 if they win all four of their remaining matches, but that would still leave below South Africa's minimum percentage of 52.78, while it's not possible for both Australia and India to finish with a percentage lower than 53.  

Bangladesh and West Indies have also both been ruled out of this WTC cycle despite both securing memorable wins, over Pakistan and Australia respectively, in the past 12 months.