Sri Lanka drop to fifth in Test rankings

Sri Lanka have dropped two places to fifth spot in the ICC Test rankings following their stalemate in the rain-marred Test series against West Indies. England and Australia moved ahead of Sri Lanka who now have 109 rating points. India and South Africa remained at the top of the table with 129 and 116 points each.

West Indies dominated the first Test in Galle, where Chris Gayle's triple-century helped them enforce the follow-on against the more-fancied home side. Rain dominated the second and third Tests, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and the new ground in Pallekele respectively. West Indies gained as a result of the nil-all scoreline, and were three points behind Pakistan who stayed in the sixth place with 88.

Even if England win the Ashes 4-0, the best result they can hope for in the five-match series following the drawn opening Test, they can't be assured of going past South Africa to the second spot in the table. If South Africa win at least one Test in their upcoming three-match home series against India, they will stay ahead of England irrespective of how the Ashes pans out. A 3-0 verdict in South Africa's favour will bring them level with India on 123 points, and the deadlock will be broken by the trailing decimals.