ICC announces latest Test team rankings

New Zealand have overtaken Australia to take the third position in the ICC Test Team Rankings after the Christchurch and Johannesburg Test matches, which has resulted in them getting a bigger purse from the International Cricket Council at the extended cut-off date of 3 April.

New Zealand’s 1-0 series win over England and Australia’s 3-1 loss to South Africa have resulted in both teams finishing on 102 points in the team rankings. However, New Zealand are ahead by a wafer-thin margin, as they are now on 102.263 points and Australia are on 102.2 points.

The change in rankings means that New Zealand will now get a prize money of $200,000 for finishing third while Australia will have to be content with $100,000.

South Africa had already assured themselves of the second place and $500,000 after having taken up a 2-1 lead in the series since only Australia could overtake them in the team list. Australia needed to win 3-0 or better to overtake South Africa while they had to avoid losing 3-1 or worse to ensure that neither New Zealand nor England could overtake them.

India have already been presented with the ICC Test Championship Mace and a $1 million prize money after they sealed the top spot following victory in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa in January. South Africa had won the series 2-1. India and South Africa had also finished in similar rankings in 2017.

SA vs AUS, 4th Test: As it happened

Team South Africa completed yet another comprehensive win at home. They beat the touring Australian side in the final Test of the four-match series to seal the series 3-1. Australia were never really in this game though. Trailing 1-2 as they entered the final Test at Wanderers, things were grim for them right from the onset. They had lost three key players in Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft owing to their infamous act in the previous game.

ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 3 April, after the Christchurch and Johannesburg Tests):

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