Race to the WTC final: Australia in pole position; India and Pakistan bank on home advantage
South Africa have a tough route to the final after their series defeat against England
Before this series in England, South Africa were the table toppers with a win percentage of 71.43. They have now dropped to second place, winning 60% of the total points on offer from the 10 matches they have played so far. Their two remaining series in this cycle are in Australia (three Tests) and at home against West Indies (two Tests).
Unfortunately, no. England have only one series to go - three Tests in Pakistan - and even if they win 3-0, their percentage will only go up to 46.97, which would not suffice for a top-two finish.
Australia have as many as nine Tests to go in this cycle, the most among all teams. Five of those are at home, across two series - two Tests against West Indies and three against South Africa. However, their away series will be their biggest challenge - four Tests in India.
India are currently in fourth place, but they should fancy their chances of getting plenty of points and moving up the table in their last two series of this cycle - against Bangladesh (two Tests away) and Australia (four Tests at home).
Sri Lanka are currently third on the points table, but they have already played five of their six series slated in this cycle, and their only remaining games are two Tests in New Zealand. Even if they win both, their percentage will go up only to 61.11, a score that may not be enough.
Neither of those teams has a realistic shot. The best that New Zealand can manage is a win percentage of 48.72 if they win all four remaining Tests (two in Pakistan and two at home against Sri Lanka). West Indies can theoretically go up to 65.38, but they have two tough away series coming up: each involving two Tests in Australia and South Africa.
S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. @rajeshstats