Australia return to top of Test championship table

Barely a week after calls forecasting an end of an era, Australia have returned to the top of the World Test Championship table.

Pat Cummins' men rebounded from a 295-run thumping from India in Perth by smashing the tourists by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval.

The reigning WTC champions had fallen to third on the table, behind India and South Africa, after the shock result in the series opener.

Australia are in the box seat to qualify for a second-straight final, most likely against South Africa.

If they are to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, Australia would almost certainly book their spot in the decider.

But Australia could still qualify even if the series is drawn 2-2, with two Tests in Sri Lanka to play early next year.

South Africa are in a commanding position in their second Test against Sri Lanka, with a two-match series at home against Pakistan to round out their qualification period.

India have dropped to third and need to win all three of the remaining Border-Gavaskar Tests to qualify for the Lord's final.

New Zealand, who beat India in the inaugural WTC final in 2021, are out of contention after suffering two heavy defeats at home to England.

WTC TABLE

1. Australia

2. South Africa

3. India

4. Sri Lanka

5. England

6. New Zealand

7. Pakistan

8. Bangladesh

9. West Indies