Third spot up for grabs

The third spot in the ICC Test Championship is up for grabs as England and New Zealand get ready for the three-Test series, which starts at Lord's on Thursday (May 20).

England currently occupy that position with 103 points, but New Zealand, in fifth place with 101, can swap places with England if they win the series by a one-Test margin (1-0 or 2-1). However, England only need a drawn series to maintain their position. In the unlikely event of a 3-0 whitewash by either team, the winner will catapult to 107 points, just five behind South Africa, who are in second place.

England had lost the third position after going down 0-1 against Sri Lanka, but regained it after thrashing West Indies 3-0 earlier this year.