England move into second spot on ICC table

In 1999, England hit rock-bottom in the unofficial Wisden world rankings, when they were defeated 2-1 in their home series against New Zealand. Five years and one emphatic 3-0 avenging later, however, they have risen to second on the ICC Test Championship table, which has been given its annual update, with all matches played prior to August 2001 removed from the reckoning.

Their form in one-day cricket may leave something to be desired, but in Tests England have been unstoppable since the start of the year, cruising to six wins in seven matches against West Indies and New Zealand. Although their rating of 107 has not changed since the removal of the results for the 2000-01 season, South Africa's has dipped from 112 to 106.

The news is a major boost for England ahead of their return series against West Indies, which starts at Lord's on Thursday, although it may yet be a temporary change. South Africa has never before fallen out of the top two in the official table, and they have a swift opportunity to rectify that when they tour Sri Lanka in August. A 2-0 series win will enable them to climb back up to 110 points.

England must hope that vertigo does not set in now that they are riding so high. They need to beat West Indies by at least two clear Tests (3-1 or 2-0) to maintain their current rating , while a repeat of the recent 3-0 win in the Caribbean would lift the rating to 108. A drawn series would result in a rating of 103, and England would drop out of the top three.

India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also improved their ratings as a result of the update, although perversely, the year's biggest achievers, India, have earned the smallest rise of the three, because their famous home series win against Australia in March 2001 now falls outside the rating period.

As a result, India have slipped from fourth to fifth on the official table, although they will soon have an opportunity to put this right when they lock horns again with Australia in October. If India win this eagerly awaited series, they will jump straight into second place, and a repeat of their 2-1 win would give them a rating of 111.

Although Pakistan was beaten 2-1 by India in a three-Test series earlier this year, these are the only two matches they have lost in the last 12 months. Their rating has also been helped by the fact that matches played in the 2000-01 period no longer count towards the standings. This was a year in which Pakistan lost at home to England and then drew in New Zealand and England.

Australia, of course, remain well clear at the top of the table. The update has improved their rating by two points to 129 and their lead at the top has extended to 22 points. The updated ratings have been announced today because there are no further Test series to be completed before the end of July.