AGENCY
DUBAI: Australia has opened up a six-point gap over India at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings following the annual update with the results from 2012-13 no longer included in the calculations and outcomes from the 2014-15 series weighted at 50 per cent. According to a media release issued by ICC, India now leads third-placed Pakistan by just one point. Pakistan has benefitted from the annual update as defeat against South Africa by 3-0 in 2012-13 no longer counts, while the 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in 2014-15 has its weighting reduced to 50 per cent. The annual Test update has resulted in South Africa dropping from third position to sixth after conceding 17 points. This is due to South Africa’s victories over England, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2012-13 all being dropped from the rankings calculations.
The annual update has also affected the West Indies, which has retained its eight position but has dropped from 76 points to 65 points. .
With Sri Lanka and Pakistan visiting England this summer for three and four Tests respectively, Australia traveling to Sri Lanka in July for three Tests and South Africa hosting New Zealand in August for two Tests, the series outcomes may well result in significant movements on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings. (PTI)
MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings
Team Points
Australia 118(+6)2(-)
India 112(+2)3(+1)
Pakistan 111(+5)4(+1)
England 105(+3)5(+1)
New Zealand 98(+2)6(-3)
South Africa 92(-17)7(-)
Sri Lanka 88(-1)8(-)
West Indies 65(-11)9(-)
Bangladesh 57(+10).
