South Africa regain second place

South Africa have moved back ahead of India in the ICC Test Championship table after defeating Bangladesh by an innings in both matches of their two-Test series last month.

India and South Africa had been separated by just a fraction of a ratings point before the series began, so the prospect of a change in the pecking order was always on the cards, after India had claimed the No. 2 spot by beating Australia 2-0 in October and November.

Despite South Africa's yawning margins of victory at Bloemfontein and Centurion, there are still 13 points separating them from the pace-setters Australia, who made amends for their India defeat by sealing a 2-0 series win over New Zealand in Adelaide on Monday.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, New Zealand have slipped below West Indies in eighth place. They had been just one ratings point ahead of West Indies before the series but defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide mean they now slip down the ladder.

However, the good news for Daniel Vettori and his team is that they have an immediate opportunity to claim the place back as they prepare to play host to West Indies for a two-Test series later this month. Victory in that series would enable them to return to seventh in the table but a drawn series or defeat will leave West Indies ahead.

ICC Test Championship

01 Dec 2008

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
Australia	34	4409	130
South Africa	37	4331	117
India	40	4659	116
Sri Lanka	28	3032	108
England	38	3965	104
Pakistan	19	1895	100
West Indies	22	1791	81
New Zealand	27	2183	81
Bangladesh	20	0	0