London: England significantly improved their standing in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 following a convincing 190-run victory over Sri Lanka at Lord’s. The win not only enhanced their point percentage to 45 but also secured them a solid fourth place in the championship rankings behind leading teams India, Australia, and New Zealand.
According to International Cricket Council, the match featured standout performances from Joe Root, who scored twin centuries, and Gus Atkinson, whose all-round capabilities were on full display. Atkinson’s performance, which included scoring 118 and 14 runs and taking crucial wickets with figures of 2/40 and 5/62, marked him as the first English player since 1984 to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test. This victory gives England an unassailable 2-0 lead in their series against Sri Lanka, while the loss pushed Sri Lanka down to seventh in the standings, reducing their point percentage from 40 to 33.33.