Dubai , 26 March 2008Vaughan’s men still fifth but could climb back to third if results go their way in coming weeks
On the face of it, England ’s 2-1 series win over New Zealand , confirmed in Napier on Wednesday, has had little impact on the LG ICC Test Championship table.
After all, England has remained fifth despite collecting one rating point while New Zealand stays in seventh position although it dropped one point.
However, by maintaining its slot in mid-table through its first overseas success since a 2-1 win in South Africa three years ago, Michael Vaughan’s side has given itself the chance to rise to third position in the coming weeks.
That scenario will come to pass if Sri Lanka , currently in possession of that third place, fails to win its series in the Caribbean while fourth-placed South Africa loses its series in India , which started in Chennai on Wednesday.
All these possibilities, and plenty more besides, simply serve to illustrate just how tightly packed it is below Australia , still dominant in top place in the LG ICC Test Championship table.
There are just three rating points between India (111) in second spot and England (108).
South Africa can actually go ahead of India and into second place if it wins the series between the two sides and India could drop as low as fifth if the series goes against it.
LG ICC Test Championship (as of 26 March 2007, following New Zealand – England series)
Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 141
2 India 111
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 South Africa 109
5 England 108
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 91
8 West Indies 73
9 Bangladesh 1
Zimbabwe has a rating of 12 but has not played sufficient number of Test matches over the new rating period (since August 2004) to be included on the main table.
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