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KARACHI: India consolidated its position at the top of the ICC Test Championship table but Australia has dropped behind England into fifth position after losing both Tests in the series that concluded in Bangalore on Wednesday.
India and Australia had entered the series on 127 and 113 ratings points, respectively.
However, India's victories, by one wicket in Mohali and by seven wickets in Bangalore, have helped them earn three ratings points which now place them 11 points clear of second-placed South Africa, according to the ICC latest ranking announced here on Wednesday.
In contrast, Australia conceded three ratings points, which means they have slipped to fifth position on 110 ratings points, two behind England. This is Australia's lowest ranking since the ICC Test Championship rankings were introduced in 2003.
However, Australia will have a chance to regain their fourth position when it goes head to head with England in a five-Test Ashes series which will start in Brisbane from November 23.
The next few of months will be exciting times for Test cricket as apart from the Ashes, Pakistan will be hosting South Africa in a two-Test series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while New Zealand will be travelling to India for a three-Test series, following which India will tour South Africa for a three-Test series. Sri Lanka will also be in action when they host the West Indies for a three-Test series.
Pakistan maintained their sixth spot in Test rankings with 83 points.
ICC Test Championship rating (tabulated under ranking, team, rating) 1. India 130 2. South Africa 119 3. Sri Lanka 115 4. England 112 5. Australia 110 6. Pakistan 83 7. West Indies 79 8. New Zealand 78 9. Bangladesh 7
