India drop a place to 5th in Test rankings

Dubai, Aug 19 (IANS) Following their 1-3 defeat against England in the recently concluded five-match Test series, India dropped a place to fifth position in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings released Tuesday.

England's landslide victory earned them four points vaulting them two places to third in the standings while India conceded six points.

England, at 104 points, now lead Sri Lanka by three points while the latter are ahead of India and Pakistan by five points. India and Pakistan are equal on 96 but Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side is ranked ahead as the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Sri Lanka moved up a place after their 2-0 series victory at home against Pakistan, who dropped two places to sixth.

With 124 points, South Africa sit on top of the table but Australia are just one point behind. Michael Clarke's side will have one eye on the No.1 spot when they arrive in the United Arab Emirates in October. But to regain the coveted position, they will have to win both Tests against Pakistan.

The table in the middle is tight with 11 points separating No.3 England from No.7 New Zealand.

The following is the ICC Test team rankings table:

1. South Africa 124 points
2. Australia 123
3. England 104
4. Sri Lanka 101
5. India 96
6. Pakistan 96
7. New Zealand 93
8. West Indies 74
9. Zimbabwe 39
10. Bangladesh 21