World Test Championship final: Australia’s obsession hits banana peel in India series

After retaining the Ashes 18 months ago, Australia had just one goal. It could slip away after their Indian meltdown.

Matthew Wade, Steve Smith and David Warner look on as their Border-Gavaskar series hopes slipped away. Picture: Getty

Australia will fly to South Africa with its place in the World Test Championship at Lord’s in jeopardy after failing to land knockout blows on a battered and bruised – but never broken – India this summer.

Coach Justin Langer told News Corp recently that his team had become obsessed with reaching the ICC’s inaugural Test Grand Final, which is scheduled for June this year, ever since it retained the Ashes in England back in 2019.

“I went to Tim (Paine) and the senior players and said, ‘What’s next, guys?’” Langer said.

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18 months ago, Australia retained the Ashes in England. Picture: Getty

“We’ve had the Ashes, what’s going to keep driving us forward to keep getting better in Test cricket?

“They all unanimously came up with they want to play in the World Test Championship.

“It’s been driving the guys, it’s something we talk about among each other to keep inspiring each other to get better and better.”

But as Australia’s hopes of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy sharply fade, its seemingly straightforward path to Lord’s has also become burdened by banana peels all of a sudden.

Should Australia’s three-match series against South Africa go ahead then it must bank another 89 points to stay on top of New Zealand, which stormed to the finish line with clean-sweeps of Pakistan and West Indies at home.

Australia will secure 30 points for a win against India at the Gabba and 10 for a draw.

Matthew Wade, Steve Smith and David Warner look on as their Border-Gavaskar series hopes slipped away. Picture: Getty

The Tests scheduled in South Africa will each see 40 points awarded for a win, 20 for a tie, 13 for a draw and zero for a loss.

The ICC amended the rules after four bilateral Test series were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ladder will now be determined by each country’s percentage of points won, rather than total points won, and the Black Caps scored 70 per cent (420 out of 600).

Australia simply needs to overtake New Zealand’s tally of 420 points, given it would also be scored out of 600 after the South Africa series.

The Aussies are currently on 332 points.

Cricket South Africa has not yet locked in dates for the February-March tour due to the country’s deepening coronavirus problems.

Should Australia reach the final, it will be a welcome return to the famous Lord’s ground. Picture: Getty

If the series goes ahead in South Africa as hoped then the Aussies would probably be living in an airtight biosecurity bubble, only allowed to leave the resort to travel to and from cricket grounds.

Staying ahead of the Kiwis on the ladder would guarantee the Aussies a place at Lord’s because it is not possible for both India (second) and England (fourth) to overtake them.

If India loses at the Gabba it would need to win to win at least three out of four home Tests against England to stay ahead of New Zealand.

It is also possible for Australia to slip to second and still face Kane Williamson’s men at Lord’s if results in South Africa don’t go to plan.

Captain Kane Williamson (L() has led New Zealand to the top of world cricket. Picture: Getty

But the photo finish means the Aussies will be loath to rest their weary superstars, although senior assistant coach Andrew McDonald won’t be making the trip.

Instead McDonald will take the reins of Australia’s white-ball team for its five-match T20 tour of New Zealand.

“The game used to only be about the red ball and it’s so great to have a Test Championship as a focus,” Langer said.

“Regardless of what people think, players love playing Test cricket.

“I love when I hear guys like Virat Kohli and other leaders of the game talk about the importance of Test cricket.

“It’s not just past players but current players, and the World Test Championship is a real focus for that.”

THE LADDER

_____ % (POINTS WON), W, D, L

Australia 73.8% (332), 8, 2, 3

India 70.2% (400), 8, 1, 3

New Zealand 70% (420), 7, 0, 4

England 60.8% (292), 8, 3, 4

South Africa 40% (144), 3, 0, 6

Pakistan 30.7% (166), 2, 3, 5

Sri Lanka 22.2% (80), 1, 1, 4

West Indies 11.1% (40), 1, 0, 6

Bangladesh 0% (0), 0, 0, 3

*Top two qualify for the final at Lord’s in June