Australia Drop to Third in WTC Standings After Cape Town Defeat

Australia's hold on the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table has ended after a 176-run defeat to South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. The third Test decided the series, which South Africa won 2-1.

Ahead of the match, Australia were top with 75.00 PCT. New Zealand were second with 72.22 PCT, and South Africa were third with 66.67 PCT. The result at Cape Town reversed much of that order.

After the Test, Australia dropped to third. South Africa, who have 5 wins from 7 matches, moved into second. New Zealand, with four wins, one loss and one draw from six matches, took the top spot.

The table also changed because of a second Test result on Saturday. West Indies won the first Test against Bangladesh by eight wickets. Bangladesh's loss allowed India to climb one place in the standings.

Bangladesh fell from fourth to fifth, while India moved from fifth to fourth. Bangladesh's record now reads three wins, three defeats and one draw from seven matches. India have five wins, four losses and two draws from 11 matches.

West Indies are still eighth on 26.92 PCT, but they have started to close in on Sri Lanka, who are seventh with 33.33 PCT.

England hold sixth place with 38.54 PCT. Pakistan are last in ninth place with 4.63 PCT, having lost seven of their nine Tests.