World Test Championship - who can reach the final?

Australia won the World Test Championship in 2023 - will they qualify for the final again?

England were left with plenty to consider after a disappointing Test series defeat in Pakistan.

But one thing they no longer have to think about is the World Test Championship, with losses in Multan and Rawalpindi ending Ben Stokes' side's hopes of reaching next summer's final.

With 18 Tests remaining in the 2023-2025 cycle, five teams are still in with a chance of making it to Lord's and playing for the right to be crowned World Test champions.

Holders Australia are still firmly in the mix, as are India - beaten finalists in the first two editions of the competition, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

BBC Sport has taken a look at what they each require to clinch a top-two spot and progress to the final.

World Test Championship points table

How does the World Test Championship points system work?

Each World Test Championship cycle runs for two years. The current one began in June 2023 and finishes with the final in June 2025.

Teams play six series in that time - three at home and three away - with 12 points awarded for winning a match, six for a tie and four for a draw.

However, as teams play a different number of Tests across their six series, the table is ranked by percentage of points won.

So, a win (12 points) is 100%, a tie (six points) 50% and a draw (four points) 33.3%.

Meanwhile, sides can be deducted points for a slow over-rate.

World Test Championship schedule & fixtures

November 2024-January 2025: Australia v India (five-match series)

November-December 2024: West Indies v Bangladesh (two-match series)

November-December 2024: South Africa v Sri Lanka (two-match series)

November-December 2024: New Zealand v England (three-match series)

December 2024-January 2025: South Africa v Pakistan (two-match series)

January 2025: Pakistan v West Indies (two-match series)

January-February 2025: Sri Lanka v Australia (two-match series)

World Test Championship qualification scenarios

Australia (best possible finish: 76.32%)

Following India's slip-ups against New Zealand, the equation is pretty simple for Australia: win five of their last seven matches and they'll go to Lord's for a chance to defend their title.

Four wins could be enough but anything under five and other results become a factor.

India (best possible finish: 69.30%)

New Zealand's historic 3-0 win in India has made it much tougher for the two-time beaten finalists to reach a third straight WTC final.

It is still in their hands, though, but they need to win four Tests in Australia to guarantee a place in the showpiece game next summer.

Sri Lanka (best possible finish: 69.23%)

As with Australia, it's a fairly straightforward scenario for Sri Lanka. Win all four of their remaining matches in the cycle and they will be in the final.

That won't be easy against fellow contenders South Africa and Australia but three wins and a defeat might still be enough depending on results elsewhere.

New Zealand (best possible finish: 64.29%)

A historic series clean sweep in India has kept New Zealand, Test champions in 2021, in with a chance of returning to the final.

Even victory in all three of their Tests at home to England would not assure them of a top-two place but it would give them a very good chance.

South Africa (best possible finish: 69.44%)

As it stands, the Proteas require four wins from four to be completely sure of a berth in the final.

Three wins and a draw would give them a strong chance, while even three wins and a loss would not completely end their chances.

However, in both instances, they would need other results to go their way.

England, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies are no longer in contention to reach the final.

But, of course, it is worth noting that it could all change again if any side is deducted points for a slow over-rate, as five teams have in this cycle, including both England and Australia during the 2023 Ashes.

World Test Championship winners list

The World Test Championship was launched in 2019 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) so that each format of the game had a pinnacle tournament.

The previous winners are:

2019-2021: New Zealand (beating India)

2021-2023: Australia (beating India)

When is the World Test Championship final?

The 2025 World Test Championship final will take place at Lord's in England. The five-day match is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 11 June.

There will be ball-by-ball radio commentary available across the BBC.