Third-ranked England aims to leapfrog India

Wednesday, 21 August 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia to finish below Pakistan irrespective of the result of The Oval Test

England will have one eye on the number-two position on the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings when it takes on Australia in the fifth and last Ashes Test at The Oval on Wednesday, 21 August.

England entered the series in third position with 112 ratings points. However, after taking a 3-0 lead in the five-Test series, it is now just one Test away from moving ahead of India into second position. To jump ahead of India, England either needs to draw or win The Oval Test. Victory will see England gain five ratings points, finishing on 117 ratings points (one ahead of India), while a draw will result in England joining India on 116 ratings points. However, in this scenario, England will be ranked above India when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal. In sharp contrast, Australia, irrespective of the outcome of The Oval Test, will finish behind Pakistan in fifth place. If Australia manages to earn a consolation victory, then it will not only stop England from leapfrogging India but will also ensure that Australia doesn’t fall too far behind Pakistan. If Australia wins the Test, then it will join Pakistan on 102 ratings points but will be ranked below the Asian side by a fraction of a point, while in case of a draw or loss it will finish on 100 ratings points, two behind Pakistan and just one ahead of sixth-ranked West Indies. This will be Australia’s lowest finish on the Test table since August 2011, when it was last ranked fifth.