Sri Lanka sees opportunity to rise in Test rankings

Sri Lanka has a good opportunity to climb up in the ICC Test Team Rankings and move ahead of South Africa when they go enter the 3-match Test series against England at Headingley on Thursday. On the other hand, hosts, England, will aim to narrow the gap with third-placed Pakistan.

They can move to 98 points if they win all three matches. In this case, there will be a three-way tie between New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka, but New Zealand will be ranked fourth, England fifth and Sri Lanka sixth, as Test rankings are calculated beyond decimal points.  A 2-1 or 1-0 win will earn Sri Lanka six points, which will put it two points ahead of South Africa while a 2-0 win will put the Asian side on 96 points.

At present, England are at the 4th position with 105 points, only six behind Pakistan. Sri Lanka is on 88 points at the seventh spot and is four behind former World No.1, South Africa. The home team will have 109 points if it wins they whitewash the Lankans while a 2-0 win will take them to 108 points, three points behind of Pakistan.

The Asian team is travelling to England for the ninth time. The hosts have been dominant most of the time, winning on won four occasions, while the Lankans have managed to clinch the series twice, including a the thrilling 1-0 win on the previous tour in 2014. Overall, England leads 10-8 in the 28 Tests played between the two sides till date.

Also read – England announce squad for first Test against Sri Lanka