22 July 2004	Thursday	04 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

LONDON, July 21: England take on West Indies in the first Test at Lord's on Thursday ranked as the second best side in the world.

Michael Vaughan's team have replaced South Africa as Australia's nearest rivals after winning six of their last seven tests and drawing the other match.

They won 3-0 in West Indies before beating New Zealand 3-0 at home. This is the first time the South Africans have dropped outside the top two in the official International Cricket Council championship since it was introduced in 2001.

They can move back above England if they can win both of their Tests in Sri Lanka next month. India have been the most successful team behind the Australians over the last 12 months but, with the ratings based on three years of results, still slipped from fourth to fifth.

Australia have won 10 out of 12 series over the past three years, drawing the other two. Meanwhile, Pakistan has progressed from the previous sixth to fourth place, largely due to 'extraneous' circumstances.

Although Pakistan were 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. Pakistan's 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. Pakistan are now ahead of India and Sri Lanka in the Test rankings. India can claim second spot if they win the series against Australia at home in October.

ICC TEST CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE:

1. Australia        129



2. England          107



3. South Africa     106



4. Pakistan         105



5. India            104



6. Sri Lanka        99



7. New Zealand      94



8. West Indies      76



9. Zimbabwe         51



10. Bangladesh      1. -Agencies