Sri Lanka has made a remarkable leap to third place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings after a stunning 2-0 series win over New Zealand, capped off by a massive victory by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test at Galle.
With this triumph, Sri Lanka now has five wins and four losses in nine Tests and a point percentage (PCT) of 55.56%, putting them in serious contention for a place in the WTC final.
India sits at the top with seven wins, two losses, and a draw, holding a PCT of 71.67%.
Australia is in second place, with eight wins, three losses, and a draw in 12 matches, with a PCT of 62.50%.
Sri Lanka now ranks third with a PCT of 55.56%.
New Zealand, the 2021 WTC champions, have now slipped to seventh place after losing five of their eight Tests, with a PCT of 37.50%.
Kamindu Mendis (182), Dinesh Chandimal (116), and Kusal Mendis (106) powered Sri Lanka to a first-innings total of 602/5 declared.
Prabath Jayasuriya took 6/42, and debutant spinner Nishan Peiris contributed with 3/33, bowling New Zealand out for 88 in their first innings.
Despite resistance from Glenn Phillips (78), Mitchell Santner (67), and Devon Conway (61), New Zealand was all out for 360 in their second innings, falling to an innings defeat.
Peiris finished with 6/170 in the second innings, and Prabath Jayasuriya claimed three wickets.
This victory marks Sri Lanka’s first series win over New Zealand in 15 years, and it significantly enhances their chances of qualifying for the WTC final. With four Tests remaining—two against South Africa and two at home against Australia—Sri Lanka will need to finish with a higher PCT than either India or Australia to secure a spot in the top two.
Kamindu Mendis was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his splendid century.
Prabath Jayasuriya earned the ‘Player of the Series’ award for taking 18 wickets across the two Tests.
Sri Lanka now faces a crucial stretch of matches, with hopes high for a potential spot in the WTC final.
