LEEDS, Aug 8: Australia and England will start their series later this year as top two sides in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship table, the world governing body announced on Tuesday.

Confirmation that the latest edition of the Ashes will feature the world's two leading Test nations came after England beat Pakistan by 167 runs in the third Test at Headingley on Tuesday.

That victory, which ensured England had an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series, saw them regain second place in the table from Pakistan.

The gap between England and Australia ahead of their series beginning in Brisbane on Nov 23 is still to be decided but it could be as few as 11 rating points if England beat Pakistan again at The Oval in the fourth Test, starting on Aug 17, and so claim a 3-0 victory.

England's series win was their first since they beat Australia 2-1 last year to reclaim The Ashes while, for Pakistan, it was their first series defeat since losing all three Tests against Ricky Ponting's side in 2004-05.—AFP