Kane Williamson-led New Zealand become first team to qualify for World Test Championship finals

Kane Williamson's New Zealand become first side to book a spot in WTC finals. (Reuters/File Photo)

Kane Williamson-led New Zealand on Tuesday became the first team to qualify for the finals of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship. The development comes after Australia's tour to South Africa, which was scheduled to be held later this month, was postponed due to health concerns.   

All to play for in the upcoming India v England series with three teams able to meet New Zealand in the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship!

Here's the breakdown, assuming a full 4-Test series with no ties and no further matches involving NZ or Australia  #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/TTZFkPd1Ex

— ICC (@ICC) February 2, 2021

CA’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley said travelling to South Africa posed “unacceptable” risk to the touring party. 

“Following extensive due diligence with medical experts, it has become clear that traveling from Australia to South Africa at this current time poses an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to our players, support staff and the community,” Hockley said in a statement.  

JUST IN: @CricketAus has cancelled the upcoming Test tour of South Africa #SAvAUS https://t.co/cu0mcxc8DI — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 2, 2021

The decision also means that Australia's bid to feature in the WTC final has been virtually closed. However, if both England and India play two draws in their upcoming four-match Test series, starting from February 5, then Australia will have a slender chance of making it to the WTC final.