England eye India's Test rank with Ashes approaching
The Ashes series will offer England an opportunity to reclaim the number two spot from India in the ICC Test rankings.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: November 19, 2013 12:44 PM IST
England have a chance of displacing India from their current second position in the ICC Test Team Rankings 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.
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 the top four positions 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.