England rise one spot in the Test rankings with a 4-1 series win

England have overtaken New Zealand to grab the fourth position in the ICC Test Team Rankings after completing a 4-1 series victory over the No.1 ranked India at The Oval on Tuesday. At the start of the five-match Test series, the home team was on the fifth position with 97 points to their name. It was expected to be a closely fought series, with the way the Indian team has been playing and the quality in their bowling attack. But England proved to be a far better side and the margin of their victory has determined that they gain eight points and now have 105 points.

Joe Root’s team is just one point shy of South Africa and Australia now as both the teams are at levels on 106 points and only decimal points separate them. The New Zealanders are also in the same range with 102 points. Thus the four teams are now placed on the rankings with just five points separating them.

Despite the huge defeat the Indian team managed to remain on the top of the rankings. But having lost four matches against a low ranked England they lost pretty heavy and are 10 points lighter now. The visitors at the start of the series had 125 points in their account and are left with 115 points now.

The second-ranked South African team is still 9 points behind and with the two Tests against Windies at home and the tour of Australia to follow, the Virat Kohli-led team will still have some chance to make amends and strengthen their position at the top.

Here are the ICC Test team rankings after the England vs India Test series:

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