England’s stunning four-wicket victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day has rewritten the script of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle. The result not only ended Australia’s 19-match unbeaten home streak against England but also punctured their perfect 100% points percentage (PCT), breathing fresh life into the race for the WTC final.

Australia’s perfect record broken

Before the Melbourne Test, Australia sat atop the WTC standings with a flawless 100% PCT, having won all their matches in the current cycle. But England’s gritty victory—their first on Australian soil since January 2011—has brought the hosts back to earth.

Australia’s PCT has now dropped to 85.71%, a significant dip that opens the door for chasing teams like New Zealand and South Africa to close the gap. Despite the loss, Australia remain comfortably in first place and are still on track to qualify for the WTC final at Lord’s in 2027, but their aura of invincibility has been shattered.

The defeat also means Australia must maintain form in their upcoming series to hold off South Africa, who currently sit in second place and will be eyeing the top spot.

England climb but remain in seventh

For England, the Melbourne win marks a rare bright spot in what has been a difficult WTC cycle. The victory adds 12 points to their tally, lifting their PCT to 35.18%. However, they remain in seventh place, still trailing India by a considerable margin.

While the win gives Ben Stokes’ side some breathing room and boosts morale heading into the final Test at Sydney, England’s chances of reaching the WTC final remain slim. They will need a strong series of results across multiple tours to climb into contention.

What does this mean for India?

India, currently sitting in sixth place with a PCT of 48.15%, will have watched Australia’s defeat with interest. While the result doesn’t directly benefit India in terms of points, it does open up the top end of the table and increases competition among the leading teams.

For India to break into the top two and qualify for the WTC final, they will need a near-perfect run in their remaining series, starting with upcoming home Tests and crucial away tours. With Australia no longer unbeatable and New Zealand showing strong form, the race has become significantly more competitive.

India’s task is still challenging—they trail Australia by a significant margin—but the psychological boost of seeing the leaders lose will give hope to Rohit Sharma’s side as they prepare for critical fixtures ahead.

New Zealand and South Africa gain ground

The teams that benefit most from Australia’s loss are New Zealand and South Africa, both of whom are in strong positions to challenge for the WTC final.

New Zealand, sitting in second place behind Australia, will be delighted to see the gap narrow. With solid form and key home series coming up, they are well-placed to push for a spot at Lord’s.

South Africa, currently third, are also in contention and will look to capitalize on any further slip-ups from the top two. With both teams playing consistent cricket, the race for the final has become genuinely competitive.

Updated WTC 2025–27 Points Table

What’s next?

The final Ashes Test begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 4, 2026. Australia will be eager to bounce back and reassert their dominance, while England will hope to carry the momentum from Melbourne and level the series at 3–2.

For India, the focus shifts to their upcoming Test fixtures, where they must string together a series of wins to climb the WTC table and keep their final hopes alive. With the race now wide open, every match in the coming months will carry immense significance.