Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS) The Indian team will finish the year as the number one Test side
in International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rankings, the ICC said in a statement.

India achieved the coveted top spot for the first time after winning the three-Test series against Sri Lanka 2-0 here Sunday. Only Australia and South Africa have figured at the top since the Test Championship was first introduced in May 2001.

The series win also means India will finish 2009 as the number one ranked side after starting the year in third place behind Australia and South Africa. Sri Lanka have dropped two places to fourth spot.

India had started the series in third place on 119 rating points trailing top ranked South Africa by three points. India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 144 runs in Kanpur and by an innings and 24 runs here Sunday to win five points.

Although Australia’s ongoing series against the West Indies will conclude before the year ends, even a 3-0 clean sweep will not be enough for Ricky Ponting’s side to challenge India’s top spot.

South Africa had gone to the top of the Test rankings in August after Australia lost the Ashes to England. They will have an opportunity to regain the position in the four-Test series against England later this month. A series win by 2-0 or better will give Graeme Smith’s side back its number one spot but anything less will increase India’s lead.

Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table:

Rank Team Points

1 India 124

2 South Africa 122

3 Australia 116

4 Sri Lanka 115

5 England 105

6 Pakistan 84

7 New Zealand 80

8 West Indies 76

9 Bangladesh 13