India neck and neck with South Africa

India have closed in on South Africa in the LG ICC Test Championship table following their 1-0 series win over Pakistan. Both teams are on 109 points but India stay in fourth position as they are behind South Africa when the ratings points are calculated past the decimal point.

There is very little to choose now between the teams in the middle section of the table with just six ratings points separating England in second place and Sri Lanka in fifth. Australia are still a long way clear in first place, 32 ratings points clear of England.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have lost ground on Sri Lanka and now lie 11 points adrift in sixth. New Zealand are now hot on the heels of Pakistan and if they win both matches in their two-Test series against Bangladesh they will be one ratings point behind.

England need to win the final Test in Galle if they are to retain second place on the ladder. So close is the table that if they fail to do so they will slip to fifth. A draw will lift Sri Lanka into third, but if they win in Galle and complete a 2-0 series victory they will leapfrog into second spot.