Sri Lanka replace India in ICC Test rankings by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

G Gambhir, KC Sangakkara, DW Steyn

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DateLine: 5th August 2009

 

Sri Lanka riding on its first Test series win over Pakistan in their own home soil have replaced India to be the third ranked team in the ICC Test rankings.

 

Sri Lanka leveled India (119) on points but replaced Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team at number three after re-calculation upto the nearest decimal - 0.01 ratings points difference. Australia (124) clung on to the top above second-placed South Africa (122) as just five ratings points separate top four teams.

 

But Ricky Ponting's men must win both the remaining Ashes Tests to stay there. Otherwise, it will be Graeme Smith's turn to lead the number-one Test team in the world. Australia has led the Test rankings ever since the current method was introduced in May 2003.

 

The progress of Kumar Sangakkara's team is due to a consistently high performance during the period of the rankings. In that time, the team has played 10 series, winning six, drawing three and losing just one (in Australia).

 

No matter how the Ashes finishes, England (99) will remain in fifth position but if the home side wins the series, Australia will drop to fourth position in the Test Championship table.

 

If the series ends in a 1-1 draw, South Africa will rise to the top. Australia, Sri Lanka and Inia will all have the same rating, but with Australia still clinging on to second place by a decimal point.

 

In the batting list, Gautam Gambhir remained on second spot with 847 points behind Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (862).

 

Among bowlers, South African Dale Steyn still leads the ranking.