Australia reaffirms dominance of ICC Test Championship

Australia's slender victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka wrapped up the series in its favour and ensured that it will maintain a comfortable lead at the top of the ICC Test Championship table regardless of the outcome of the final Test in Colombo.

Even defeat in the third Test would leave Australia with a rating of 125 - the same as it had going into the tough away series. Victory in the third Test would boost its rating to 127 while a draw would leave it on 126.

Australia has held a commanding lead in the ICC Test Championship since an updated method of calculation was introduced in June 2003 but a poor showing in Sri Lanka would have sliced its lead at the top to single figures for the first time during this period.

Instead with second-placed South Africa struggling in New Zealand, Australia's lead could be as big as 19 points by the end of the month.

Earlier this year Australia's Test rating fell from 130 to 125 as a result of the drawn home series against India.

The series defeat on home soil means that Sri Lanka will remain in seventh place in the official Test table. Victory in the last Test against Australia will keep Sri Lanka in touch with the top six on 97 points but a series whitewash will knock its rating back to 94.

The ICC Test Championship table correct on 22 March 2004

The official Test table is updated at the end of each series once the final outcome of the series is known. The winning team from a Test series receives bonus points equivalent to one additional match victory.

The impact future results will have on the ratings is available on the official ICC website. For a full explanation of how the ratings are calculated, visit www.icc.cricket.org.

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