BAN v AUS: Australia slip in the latest ICC Test rankings

Virat Kohli and his men have retained their spot at the numero uno with 125 points in the latest ICC Test rankings. International Cricket Council released the latest rankings soon after the Aussies drew the away series against Bangladesh on Thursday. Australia won the second Test match against the hosts by 7 wickets to avoid a whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh.

Despite winning the Test match, Australia slipped one rank and are now at fifth place behind New Zealand. India continues to remain at the top after their dominating whitewash of Sri Lanka by 3-0 in an away series last month. South Africa is at second position with 110 points whereas England is placed third with 105 points.

Bangladesh benefit from the series

Bangladesh won the first Test against Australia historically at Dhaka and made sure that they would not lose the series. The drawn series against the world number 4 side (now 5 after the series) has earned the Tigers 5 points. Now they have 74 points after the hard fought series and are just 1 point behind West Indies who are 8th in the rankings.

Australia, on the other hand, lost 3 points after the series which they were expected to win 2-0. Before the series, they had 100 points to their name and have now equaled New Zealand with 97 and are 5th as the Black Caps edge ahead on the decimals.

England is currently playing West Indies in the third Test match at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ with the series locked at 1-1. If West Indies manage to topple the hosts, more changes in the rankings are expected. England might come down below 100 points if they lose the series and Windies are set to earn some points even if they lose the ongoing Test match as they have beaten the top ranked side in the second Test match.

Australia now will face England in the Ashes in November and Bangladesh travel to South Africa for a full tour in the next month. India will play a return series of 3 match Test series against Sri Lanka at home in November.

Latest ICC Test team rankings