How Australia's win over South Africa in 2nd Test helped India's chances of making World Test Championship final

India's chances of making the final of the second World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 were further helped on Thursday (29) when Australia hammered South Africa by an innings and 182 runs to clinch their three-match series with one match remaining.

The Proteas, who have been outplayed by the hosts in the series so far, were bowled out for 204 on the fourth day of the Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after resuming from their overnight score of 15 for 1. The visitors needed 387 runs to make Australia bat again but a brilliant bowling performance by the home team stopped them from reaching the target. South Africa were bowled out for 189 in their first essay and Australia amassed a massive 575 for 8 declared in response.

The victory meant Australia stamped their authority further at the top of the WTC points table.

The Pat Cummins-led side now top the points table with a win percentage of 78.57. If they continue with their show in the remaining match starting in Sydney on January 4, the win percentage will get even better. They won the first Test in Brisbane by sic wickets.

India are on the second spot, thanks to their recent 2-0 win over Bangladesh. Their win percentage is 58.93 and if the Asian giants can win three of the upcoming four matches at home against Australia in February-March, they will comfortably book a spot in the final to be held at The Oval, England, in June 2023.

India were the finalists of the first WTC as they lost to New Zealand by eight wickets in the final at Southampton.

This time, their chances of making the second consecutive final have been facilitated by England's recent 3-0 win over Pakistan followed by Australia's emphatic victory over South Africa.

Sri Lanka and South Africa are now placed third and fourth with a win percentage of 53.3 and 50, respectively.

White-ball champions England are fifth with a win percentage of 46.97 while the West Indies trail them at sixth place with 40.91.

Pakistan and New Zealand, who are currently playing a Test series on the former's soil, are seventh and eighth with win percentages of 38.89 and 25.93, respectively.

Bangladesh sit at the bottom of the points table with a win percentage of 11.11.