Australia delivered a crushing blow to England's hopes, securing an emphatic 82-run victory in the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on December 21, 2025. This win not only sealed the prestigious urn for the hosts with two matches to spare but also solidified their commanding position at the summit of the ICC World Test Championship (2025-2027) standings.
Ashes Decided as Australia's Dominance Continues
The Adelaide triumph marked England's third consecutive defeat in the series, following losses in Perth and Brisbane. Ben Stokes's team, now trailing 0-3, faces the grim prospect of a potential 5-0 whitewash in the remaining two Tests. The comprehensive nature of the series win underscores Australia's current supremacy in the longest format of the game.
Updated WTC Standings: The Full Picture
The victory in Adelaide was Australia's sixth straight win in the current WTC cycle. They have amassed a full 72 points from 6 matches, maintaining a perfect Points Percentage (PCT) of 100.00. This flawless record keeps them firmly at the top of the table.
Defending champions South Africa hold the second spot with a PCT of 75.00. Their campaign includes a drawn away series against Pakistan (1-1) and a significant 2-0 home sweep against India in November.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka are placed third and fourth respectively, both boasting an unbeaten record and a PCT of 66.67. The Kiwis have a win and a draw from two matches, while Sri Lanka shares an identical record.
Pakistan occupies the fifth position with a PCT of 50.00, having won one and lost one of their two Tests.
India has slipped to sixth place with a PCT of 48.15. This drop follows their disappointing 2-0 home series loss to South Africa, impacting their standing across nine Tests played.
England's Struggles and the Lower Half
England's woes are reflected in the WTC table, where they remain rooted in seventh position. From eight matches, they have managed only two wins against five losses, accruing 26 points. Their PCT stands at a lowly 27.08, further hampered by a two-point deduction for slow over-rates.
Bangladesh (PCT 16.67) and the West Indies (PCT 4.76) complete the nine-team table in eighth and ninth places respectively. The points system awards 12 points for a win, 6 for a tie, and 4 for a draw, with teams ranked by their percentage of points won. The top two teams at the end of the cycle will contest the final in 2027.
Australia's relentless form has set a formidable benchmark in the championship. With the Ashes retained, their focus will now be on extending their winning streak and consolidating their lead, while other teams scramble to close the gap in the race for the final.
