New Zealand Secures Second Place in WTC Rankings After Dominant Win

New Zealand Climbs to Second in WTC Standings

New Zealand has ascended to the second position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings for 2025-27 following a commanding 323-run victory over the West Indies in the concluding Test of their three-match series at Bay Oval on Monday, as reported by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Duffy's Outstanding Performance Seals the Win

The Black Caps secured their victory on the fifth day of play at Bay Oval, with left-arm seamer Jacob Duffy delivering an exceptional performance, earning him the Player of the Series accolade. Duffy recorded impressive figures of 5/42 in the West Indies' second innings, leading to the visitors being dismissed for a mere 138 runs while chasing a daunting target of 462.

Duffy Breaks Kiwi Bowling Record

Throughout the three-match series, Duffy claimed a total of 23 wickets, contributing significantly to New Zealand's 2-0 series victory. He also broke the record previously held by Kiwi legend Richard Hadlee for the most wickets taken by a New Zealand bowler in a calendar year, surpassing Hadlee's tally of 80.

"I noticed that list of most wickets in a calendar year during lunch, and it featured some remarkable names. Being included among such esteemed company is truly special," Duffy remarked, as quoted by the ICC.

Updated WTC Standings and Future Matches

This series win has propelled the Black Caps past South Africa, placing them in second in the World Test Championship standings, with only their trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, ahead of them. Australia remains unbeaten in the current WTC 2025-27 cycle and has also retained the Ashes after defeating England in the Adelaide Test, leading the ongoing five-match series 3-0.

Looking ahead, the Black Caps are set to face England in a three-match World Test Championship series scheduled for the middle of next year. Meanwhile, the West Indies sit at ninth in the standings, with their next home series planned for mid-2023 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.