Here’s how the World Test Championship Points Table stands after first Australia vs South Africa Test

While fans expected the Australia vs South Africa contest to be a thriller, their hopes of seeing a cut-throat competition were ruined when the Gabba pitch played spoilsport. Australia were coming into the South Africa Test series after a magnificent 2-0 win against the West Indies at home. The leading contenders to make it to the World Test Championship finals, the Aussies, made their case even stronger by concluding the first Test against South Africa on just the second day.

Hosts Australia won the toss and elected to field first. The Gabba pitch had an inclination towards the bowlers, and the Australian bowlers did really well in the first innings. Visitors South Africa were bundled out for mere 152 runs on the first day as Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon picked up three wickets each. Skipper Pat Cummins and Scott Boland added two scalps each to their name as the first innings ended after 48.2 overs.

Australian batters faced similar troubles when they started their batting innings. After a top-order failure, Travis Head’s 96-ball 92 kept Australia in a commanding position on the first day. But his dismissal led to the batting unit coming crashing down on the second day. While Kagiso Rabada emerged as the top wicket-taker for the visitors, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi picked up three, two, and one wicket respectively.

Australia ended with a lead of 66 runs as South Africa came out to bat in the second innings. Three wickets fell off the first eight overs as the visitors were put to test, again. While skipper Cummins dismissed opposition skipper Dean Elgar in just the second over, Starc dismissed Rassie van der Dussen to complete 300 Test wickets. Pat Cummins struck again to take Sarel Erwee down as South Africa lost three quick wickets.

Khaya Zondo and Temba Bavuma tried to anchor the innings, but their wickets meant the end of things for the Proteas. Cummins picked up a five-wicket haul and South Africa were dismissed scoring mere 99 runs. Australia needed just 34 runs to win, but their journey towards the low target wasn’t easy either. Rabada picked up four wickets to put the hosts in trouble but they managed to complete the chase. 34 wickets fell in six sessions as Australia won the first Test by six wickets.

Here's the updated WTC Points Table after 1^st AUS vs SA Test

Australia continue to dominate the World Test Championship points table and have boosted their percentage points to 76.92, claiming 12 points for the win. South Africa have dropped down from second to third place post the defeat. They now have 54.55% points, having won six games and lost five. South Africa’s loss has led to India climbing one more spot up, to second place.

India won the first Test against Bangladesh to take the third spot earlier in the day, and South Africa’s defeat proved to be a major boost for them. Sri Lanka are placed fourth with 53.33% points, while England are fifth with 44.44% points. Pakistan and the West Indies are placed sixth and seventh with 42.42% points and 40.91% points respectively, whereas New Zealand and Bangladesh take up the eighth and ninth places.