The victory increased Australia’s win percentage in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle to 80.00%, cementing their lead at the top of the standings. Bangladesh’s victory percentage, which had momentarily been high before the Darwin outcome, fell to 55.56% after the Mackay loss.
Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at Mackay, which ended after two days at the tea break on August 23, 2026. The outcome tied the two-match series at 1-1, after Bangladesh won the first Test in Darwin by 9 wickets.
Mitchell Starc was the star bowler, taking 6 for 12 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in the first innings. Australia responded with 210, with Cameron Green scoring an undefeated 51. Shoriful Islam was the highlight of the Bangladesh bowlers, taking 6 for 35 in Australia’s first innings. Bangladesh were subsequently despatched for 95 in their second innings, providing Australia a comfortable innings win.
How does the WTC 2025-27 points table look following the Mackay Test?
Australia leads the WTC 2025-27 rankings with 96 points and an 80.00% victory rate as of August 23, 2026. South Africa is in second place with 36 points and a victory percentage of 75.00%. New Zealand is third with 52 points and a win percentage of 72.22%.
Following the Mackay defeat, Bangladesh is now fourth with 40 points and a win percentage of 55.56%. India is fifth with 64 points and a win percentage of 53.33%, which increased with their recent victory over Sri Lanka in Galle. Australia and South Africa are presently ranked first and second in the cycle, with both teams well positioned for the WTC 2025-27 campaign’s later stages.
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | T | D | NR | Pts | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 80.00 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 55.56 |
| 5 | India | 10 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 53.33 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 33.33 |
| 7 | England | 14 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 29.76 |
| 8 | West Indies | 12 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 20.83 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 19.05 |
What happens next for Australia in the WTC 2025-27 cycle?
Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, will face South Africa in a three-match Test series commencing October 19, 2026. South Africa is presently ranked second in the WTC 2025-27 standings, making the series a direct battle of the top two teams in the cycle.
Australia’s last Test trip of South Africa was in 2018, when they lost 1-3. The forthcoming series will thus be vital for both the bilateral contest and the WTC 2025-27 standings, with both teams in excellent positions heading into what looks to be a pivotal match in the championship cycle.
Discussion about this post