India Become No.1 Test Side, Need To Win Fourth Test To Retain Spot

Dubai: India have secured the No.1 position in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings replacing Australia. Australia lost the third Test against hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo by 163 runs to be whitewashed 0-3 in their series, allowing India to climb to the position, an ICC release said on Wednesday.

India are on top with 112 points, just above Pakistan (111).

Australia had arrived in Sri Lanka as the top Test team with 118 points to play the three-match Test series. But following losses by 106 runs in Pallekele, 229 runs in Galle and 163 runs in Colombo, Australia joined England on 108 points but are ranked third, just ahead of Alastair Cook’s side, while Sri Lanka have moved up to sixth spot with 95 points.

To retain the top ranking, India will now have to win the fourth and final Test of the four-match series against the West Indies, which begins in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Thursday.

Sri Lanka entered the series in the seventh position on 85 points, but climbed to sixth position after earning 10 points. They now lead South Africa by three points, who have a series against New Zealand starting in Durban on Friday. To retain the top ranking, India will now have to win the fourth and final Test of the four-match series against the West Indies, which begins in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Thursday.

India registered a 237-run win in the third Test and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series, after winning the first Test by an innings and 92 runs, the second ending in a draw.

India’s failure to win the fourth and final Test will mean Pakistan will become the number one ranked side for the first time.

If India win the fourth Test, then they will finish on 112 points -- one ahead of Pakistan -- but they will end on 110 points if the Test is drawn or drop to the fourth place, on 108 points, in case the West Indies win the fourth Test.

Source: IANS