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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Can England displace India from No 2 Test spot?
This article was first published 11 years ago

Can England displace India from No 2 Test spot?

November 19, 2013 13:07 IST

Image: Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook of England warm up ahead of an England nets session
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England have a chance of displacing India from their current No 2 position in the ICC Test Team Rankings table if they can win the upcoming Ashes series against Australia 4-0 or better.

The Ashes series will offer England an opportunity to reclaim the number two spot that they held till India moved ahead of them last week following a 2-0 series win over the West Indies.

While India have 119 rating points, England are three points behind on 116.

Austrlia can return to top four

Image: Michael Clarke and George Bailey stretch during an Australian nets session
Photographs: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Australia, meanwhile, start their quest for regaining the Ashes when they take on England in Brisbane from November 21 with one eye on moving back to top four position in the table.

Australia are currently ranked fifth with 101 ratings points, 15 points behind third-placed England.

Australia can return to the top four by leapfrogging Pakistan if they manage to draw or win the series. They can also move ahead of England into third spot if they win the series 4-0 or better.

With the top four sides as of 31 December 2016 qualifying for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship scheduled for 2017, every Test counts towards the qualification.