Top two Test sides to go head to head in Ashes

England will need to win by three clear Tests in the Ashes series if they are to edge Australia to the coveted spot as the No. 1 side in the world.

Australia have not lost a home series since 1992-93, which makes England's task all the more challenging. England last won a Test series in Australia in 1986-87, with a 2-1 margin, but would need to raise their performance considerably to pull off a triumph like their 5-1 sweep in 1978-79 - the previous occasion they won by three clear Tests.

England's 3-0 win at home against Pakistan has propelled them to second and they are now 11 points adrift of Australia, who lead with 130 points. Pakistan have slipped to No. 3 with 112 points, just one ahead of India.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan's biggest gain was the form of Mohammad Yousuf, who reached his highest batting ranking of three after compiling 631 runs in four Tests at an average of more than 90. Younis Khan, the second-highest run scorer for Pakistan with 329, is one spot below Yousuf.

The England batting line-up of Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen also enjoyed a dream summer. Strauss - the leading run scorer who towered over the rest - moved up a place to No. 12, behind Pietersen. Bell and Cook achieved their highest rankings, occupying the 25th and 26th positions repectively.

Among the bowlers, England's Stephen Harmison, returning from injury, finished the series with 20 wickets, the most from either side, and occupies the eleventh spot. Umar Gul achieved a personal best of 35th after his 18 victims.

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