South Africa set for ranking windfall after Pakistan win

REUTERS: South Africa are set to pocket $450,000 after they guaranteed the number one position in the ICC Test Championship beyond the April 1 cut-off date for prize money to be awarded in 2013.

The Proteas’ four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second test at Newlands on Sunday, means they now cannot be caught at the top of the rankings by nearest rivals England, who are in New Zealand, or Australia, who are touring India.

The prize money is a significant increase from previous years, when $175 000 was given to the teams topping the test or one-day international championship table.

While South Africa have sealed the number one spot, the battle for second, third and fourth positions is still alive with 13 points separating second-ranked England from fifth-ranked India. The nation that claims second position at the cut-off date will pick up $350,000, while the team finishing third will collect $250,000 and fourth takes home $150,000.

ICC Test Championship table (before the start of South Africa-Pakistan test series)

Rank         Team                          Points

1.           South Africa               124  

2.           England                        118

3.           Australia                      117

4.         Pakistan                        109

5.           India                         105

6.        Sri Lanka                      92

7.           West Indies                   91

8.           New Zealand               78  

9.           Bangladesh                   00

Zimbabwe are currently unranked as they have played insufficient matches.