England must win three matches in India to reach final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s

England must win three of the four matches in India to reach final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s

  • New Zealand are guaranteed a top-two finish and a place in the final
  • England can qualify if they win the Test series 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0 in India
  • Root’s men helped by Australia cancelling tour of South Africa

England must win at least three of the four matches in the upcoming series in India to meet New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s.

The equation for Joe Root’s team was simplified on Tuesday when Australia pulled out of this month’s tour of South Africa due to coronavirus concerns.

Prior to Cricket Australia’s late decision to postpone their trip, which infuriated Cricket South Africa, England had to win by three clear Tests to progress to the five-day final held between June 18-22, but now a 3-1 scoreline will suffice. England will also qualify for the final if they win 3-0 or 4-0.

The equation for Joe Root’s team was simplified when Australia pulled out of South Africa tour

New Zealand are guaranteed a top-two finish but could face any of three opponents dependent on the India-England results.

It will be the Australians if the series is drawn, India win 1-0 or England win by less than a three-Test margin, but Virat Kohli’s men will progress with a series win of 2-1 or better.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire will ban for life anyone found to have made threats to Azeem Rafiq, his family or his legal team.

Former Yorkshire player Rafiq has been subjected to abuse and threats on social media. He is suing over claims of racial abuse and discrimination during stints with the county from 2008 to 2014 and 2016 to 2018. Police have been informed.