England has managed to start the ongoing four-match Test series against India in their ongoing four-Test series which has helped them to keep their hopes alive to reach the final of the World Test Championship, scheduled to be played at the Lord’s in June. The victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday has lifted England to first place with 70.2 percentage points.

The Brits have improved their chances of securing one of the three series results in their favor that could see them through to the final — 3-1, 3-0 or 4-0. New Zealand has already qualified for the final winning 70.0 percent of their matches (with no other series scheduled) while India and Australia remain in contention for the other place along with England.

ALSO READ: Kevin Pietersen Pokes Fun At Team India By Tweeting In Hindi

India, who have now come down to the fourth position with 68.3 percentage points, cannot afford another loss in the four-match series and will be looking to win at least two of the remaining three matches to secure a 2-1 or 3-1 result and a place in the final.

Australia will get to feature in a Trans-Tasman summit clash if the India-England series is drawn or if England wins 1-0, 2-1, or 2-0. 

Pakistan’s 2-0 home win over South Africa sees them finish the series in the fifth position with 43.3 percentage points, while South Africa slip to the sixth position with 30.0 percentage points. West Indies are seventh with 23.8 percentage points after their epic victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, who are last on the table and yet to win a point.

ALSO READ: England Bowling Coach Defends Their Tactics On Day 4 In Chennai

There was a lot of discussion regarding the lack of intent showing by the England team when they delayed the declaration in the second innings in Chennai. Many felt the visiting team was scared that the hosts have the capacity to chase down the total. But as it happened on Day 5, England comfortably managed to bundle out the Indian team with a lot of overs in hand and took a lead of 1-0 up in the series. James Anderson put up a special performance in the morning after which the rest of the bowlers joined the party to register a memorable win.