ICC Test Rankings: New Zealand Become World Number One For The First Time
Kane Williamson led New Zealand to a win against Pakistan in the second Test match, and also scored a double century which helped his side grab top spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
Highlights
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New Zealand are the seventh side to hold number one spot in Test cricket
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New Zealand are third in the World Test Championship standings
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New Zealand defeated Pakistan in a Test series recently
New Zealand grabbed the number one position in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in history after decimating Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second Test in Christchurch, on Wednesday. The comfortable series-clinching victory, shaped by captain Kane Williamson's double century, pushed the Kiwis to top of the heap as they became the sixth country in the past 10 years to be ranked number one in Test cricket. "A huge victory in the second Test has propelled New Zealand to the No.1 spot in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings," the ICC tweeted.
A huge victory in the second Test has propelled New Zealand to the No.1 spot in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings #NZvPAK report
— ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2021
Overall, they are the seventh side in the world to hold the number one spot. New Zealand came close to reaching the summit in the last couple of years but stayed second on the table.
They now have 118 points, two more than Australia and four clear of third-placed India.
England (106) and South Africa (96) complete the top-five.
Williamson consolidated his top spot in the batting list. He had recently leapfrogged India captain Virat Kohli and Australian star Steve Smith with three centuries, including two double centuries, in his last six innings.
The Black Caps are also inching closer to the top two spots in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
They are still third with 70 (PCT) percentage points but are narrowing the gap with Australia (76.7) and India (72.2).
New Zealand Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team
Kane Williamson