The 2-0 series triumph over New Zealand [Images] has propelled England [Images] to the third spot in the ICC [Images] Test Rankings, just one point behind second-placed India.

Sunday's win in Nottingham, coupled with the victory at Old Trafford and the draw at Lord's means England rises above South Africa in the Test Championship table into third position.

Michael Vaughan's [Images] men were on 108 ratings points prior to the start of the series, one behind the Proteas, but now they have moved up to 110, just one point behind India in second position.

With Australia currently 30 points clear at the top of the table, there is no danger of it being caught any time soon.

However, the ladder is a lot more congested further down with just five points separating India in second position and Sri Lanka [Images] in fifth.

England could have ended this series in second position had it won all three Tests but it can still wind up its summer ahead of India if it outperforms South Africa and India does not win its Test series in Sri Lanka.

However, if South Africa edges the four-match series it could be the one to go into second depending on how the Sri Lanka-India series pans out.