Runners-up of the World Test Championship in 2025, Australia endured their first loss in the WTC cycle for the 2027 final, courtesy of England, who secured
a narrow four-wicket victory in the fourth Test of the 2025–26 Ashes. The Boxing Day Test was the first time England secured victory in a Test over their arch-rivals in Australia since January 2011.
The MCG Test was a low-scoring contest which was concluded within two whole days' time. A total of 20 wickets fell on the opening day itself. Josh Tongue's five-wicket haul limited the hosts to only 152 in 45.2 overs. The Ben Stokes-led side, on the other hand, ended up getting bowled out for 110 in 29.5 overs, with Michael Neser picking up a four-wicket haul.
Australia possessed a 46-run lead coming into the second day. Some exceptional bowling by the tourists meant they were skittled within no time for just 132. Ben Stokes impressed with the ball with three wickets to his name. England, who were set a 175-run target, got over the line with four wickets to spare. Steven Smith's pace attack probed, but the tourists were able to overcome the pressure to finally win a Test in Australia after 18 unsuccessful attempts.
Coming to the latest WTC standings, Australia still retained top spot with a points' percentage (PCT) of 85.71%. Meanwhile, England, who have played the joint-most number of matches (nine), were still on seventh place. Only Bangladesh and West Indies are beneath them. New Zealand and Sri Lanka, although playing only three and two matches in the current cycle so far, will go into 2026 as the only unbeaten teams in Tests.
World Test Championship 2025-27 Points Table
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | NR | Points | Deductions | PCT (%)* |
| 1 | Australia | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 0 | 85.71 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 77.78 |
| 3 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 75.00 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 66.67 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 50.00 |
| 6 | India | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 48.15 |
| 7 | England | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 35.19 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 16.67 |
| 9 | West Indies | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.17 |
*updated after the conclusion of the fourth Ashes Test at MCG on December 27, 2025
