England stay No 1 thanks to Dunedin rain

England will retain the championship mace as the top side in the Reliance ICC Test Championship rankings on the cut-off date of April 1 after a rain-wrecked final day in Dunedin ended South Africa's chances of beating New Zealand in the first Test. South Africa needed to beat New Zealand 3-0 to overhaul England at the top of the table.

England, who will also receive a cheque for $175,000 (£110,000), have a greater financial incentive to retain the No. 1 ranking in future years. For the next three years, a total of US$3.8m (£2.4m) will be distributed in prize money with the side topping the table on April 1 next year receiving a minimum of $450,000 (£285,000).

The best series result South Africa can now achieve is a 2-0 win, which would keep them at 117 points, one behind England. South Africa will remain second unless they lose the remaining two Tests, in which case they would slip behind both India and Australia in the rankings.

England overhauled India to take the No. 1 ranking after inflicting a 4-0 whitewash last summer, but their hold on top spot has been unconvincing, beginning with their own humiliation in a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in the UAE.

England and South Africa go head to head in a three-Test series which starts at The Oval on July 19.