Dubai, Nov.10 (ANI): The gap between Australia and the rest is cut to 13 ratings points after its 2-0 series defeat to India
India has moved into second place in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table after regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia.
The team wrapped up a 172-run victory on day five of the fourth Test at Nagpur and in the process gained seven ratings points to draw level with South Africa on 116. But Graeme Smiths team now slips just below India to third position by a fraction of a ratings point.
All is not lost for the Proteas. If they win both Tests in the two-match series coming up against Bangladesh, they will be back into second position.
However, with India looking forward to two more Tests against England beginning on 10 December, not to mention the six Tests coming up in total between Australia and South Africa over the coming months, there will be plenty of opportunities for sides to make their moves in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship.
This is the first time since a rain-affected tour to Sri Lanka in 1999 that Australia has lost a series without winning a single match and as a result of the 2-0 defeat, Ricky Pontings men have lost nine ratings points to fall below 130 for the first time since April 2006. It is also the first time since 2001 that Australia has played an entire series without winning a match.
There are now just 13 points separating Australia from India and South Africa, with plenty of opportunities for that gap to be cut further.
With a big 12 months of Test cricket ahead of the Aussies, however, including two series against South Africa, one against the Black Caps and the Ashes in England, they will have chances of their own to prevent that from happening.
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship (as of 10 November, after the series between India and Australia)
Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 129
2 India 116
3 South Africa 116
4 Sri Lanka 108
5 England 104
6 Pakistan 100
7 New Zealand 82
8 West Indies 81
9 Bangladesh 1 (ANI)