India move up to fifth place in Test rankings

The Indian fans who took umbrage at India's drop to eighth place in the ICC's latest ODI rankings can take heart from the Test ratings. India have moved up one spot to fifth place in the ICC Test table. In the latest update to the table, India have gained three points for a tally of 94, primarily because results from the period August 1999 to July 2000 were dropped off. India lost five out of eight Tests during that year - a 0-3 drubbing in Australia was followed by a 0-2 whitewash at home against South Africa.

Meanwhile, England, who lock horns with South Africa in a five-Test, have a chance to make some big moves in the rankings. Even if they win the series 1-0, they will supplant New Zealand in third place on the table. This comes about because results from three years ago drop off the official table, and that includes the 2-1 series victory New Zealand achieved over England in 1999.

To move to second, England needs to achieve at least a 4-0 series win. This is despite the fact that in the re-shaping of the championship South Africa are the team to have benefitted most. South Africa could consolidate its place on the table by winning the series. But even if it were to achieve an improbable whitewash of England it would not be sufficient to overhaul the rampant Australians in top position.

When the update occurs on August 1, the positions will be: (with rating change in brackets)
1 Australia 129 points (presuming it beats Bangladesh in second Test starting Friday in Cairns) (0), 2 South Africa 119 (+ 4), 3 New Zealand 107 (+ 3), 4 England 101 (+ 3), 5 India 94 (+ 3), 6 Sri Lanka 91 (- 6), 7 Pakistan 90 (- 1), 8 West Indies 83 (+ 1), 9 Zimbabwe 58 (0), 10 Bangladesh (-2).