By IANS
Dubai : A keen tussle is on the cards among four teams placed from the second to fifth spots in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, separated by only four points.
Australia is way ahead in the ranking charts with 141 points followed by India (111), Sri Lanka (109) South Africa (109) England (107).
Sri Lanka will drop to the fifth spot if it loses its series against the West Indies starting in Guyana Saturday.
If Sri Lanka loses the two-match series 2-0 or 1-0, it will fall two places from third to fifth, below South Africa and England. If England wins the final Test against New Zealand, it will gain one ratings point and put pressure on India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Stakes will also be high in the three-Test series between South Africa and India starting March 26. For India it will be an opportunity to increase their points and make sure that South Africa do not close in on them.
There is a mini battle down the ranks as well. Pakistan are in the sixth position while New Zealand is seventh separated by just one point.
If New Zealand draws or wins the final Test against England at Napier, it will move ahead of Pakistan. But if it loses, it will fall two points behind.
However, defeat for England means that it will lose its three points. Even a draw will see it slip one point to 106.
Australia is still way out in front at the top of the table, leading by 30 ratings points. Changes to the LG ICC Test Championship are made only at the end of each Test series.
LG ICC Test Championship:
Rank Teams Rating
1 Australia 141
2 India 111
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 South Africa 109
5 England 107
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 93
8 West Indies 73
9 Bangladesh 1