By IANS
Dubai : Fourth-placed India are set to climb to the second spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings even if they lose the four-match series against Australia that starts in Melbourne Wednesday.
India can collect the required three points even if Ricky Ponting’s side clinches the four-Test series 2-1, said a release from the ICC.
Even a drawn series would be enough to help Anil Kumble’s India break free from the three-way tied scenario for the second position.
A drawn series, be it 0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 will give India five ratings points and will put it on 113 points, said the statement.
Although India have the same number of points, 109, as the second-placed South Africa and third-placed Sri Lanka, they are actually fourth when the ratings points are calculated beyond the decimal point.
India are on a high after their 1-0 home win over Pakistan this month, and can take an outright lead if they manage to score three rating points in Australia from the 11 available.
If India win the series, it would bring them closer to leaders Australia, who have 143 points.
India will pick up a bagful of points if they manage to beat Australia. A 1-0 or 2-1 win will put them on 116 points, 2-0 or 3-1 victory will earn them eight points, 3-0 win will place them on 119 points and a 4-0 triumph will help them pocket 11 points, said the statement.
On the other side of the coin, if India are defeated by a heavier margin, they will lose their current standing. A 4-0 win for Australia will put India in fifth place behind South Africa, Sri Lanka and England while a 3-0 defeat will drop it to fourth place.
Australia, in contrast, can earn two rating points if they win 4-0 but will concede as many as 13 points if India wins all four.
Only a maximum of two rating points are in the offing for South Africa against the West Indies while Sri Lanka have no more Test commitments until March next year when they play a two-Test series in the West Indies.
Rank Team Rating points
1 Australia 143
2 South Africa 109
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 India 109
5 England 107
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 91
8 West Indies 72
9 Bangladesh 4