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26 April 2024

Australia drop to 5 as India stay on top

South African captain Graeme Smith and Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni pose for photos after the fifth day of the third and final Test between India and South Africa at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on January 6, 2011. India validated their ranking as the number one team in Test cricket when they drew the third and final Test and earned a share of the series against second-ranked South Africa at Newlands. (AFP)

Published
By Reuters

Australia have dropped to fifth place in the test rankings after losing the Ashes series to  England, who edged closer to second-placed South Africa on the  latest official list issued on Friday. 

Third-placed England went into the series with 112 ratings points and have added three to their tally following their  comprehensive 3-1 victory in Australia, the International Cricket Council said in a statement. 

England now trail South Africa by two rating points after  Graeme Smith and his men drew the three-match home series  against table-topper India 1-1. 

For Australia, their first Ashes defeat on home soil in 24  years cost three ratings points and dropped them behind Sri  Lanka. 

South Africa started against India on 116 ratings points and gained just one while the drawn series cost India one  point but they continue to lead on 128. 

New Zealand have an opportunity to rise to the sixth place  if they can beat Pakistan in the two-test series that started  in Hamilton on Friday.