If not the remaining two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests, then Australia's visit to Sri Lanka will decide who meets South Africa at Lord's in June 2025

With seven victories from 11 games and a 66.67% point percentage, South Africa is comfortably atop the WTC rankings. Australia, India, and Sri Lanka are now vying for the final slot.

On the WTC standing, eight points currently separate Australia and India. After the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, India have only one game left, while for Australia, they will have three matches left – one against India and two against Sri Lanka.

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four in the fourth test in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving India facing a record chase to steal victory.

Australia took control of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne despite a sensational spell from Jasprit Bumrah on Sunday. The hosts were staring down the barrel at 91-6 and the lead not even past 200 before some sloppy fielding by India and remarkable determination from Australia's lower order took them to 228-9 by stumps on day four.

Destructive Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah scythed through Australia's middle order Sunday, leaving the hosts 135-6 in their second innings, a lead of 240 runs in the fourth Test. Australia remain in the stronger position at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after leading by 105 runs on the first innings,