South Africa have moved above England in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship standings on the eve of their four-match series.
Graeme Smith’s men will head into Thursday’s opener at Lord’s in second place in the Reliance Mobile table with England, who had been third, now in fourth place. India have dropped one place from second to third.
The annual update discards series concluded before Aug. 1, 2005, and that benefits South Africa because their recent fine form is included while losing series against Sri Lanka, India and England no longer have an effect.
This latest table also takes account of the recent decision to change England’s win by forfeit against Pakistan at The Oval in 2006 into a draw.
South Africa remain 23 points behind clear leaders Australia and a drawn series or better against England would see them stay in second spot.
A 4-0 whitewash for England would see them go second with India third and South Africa fourth. Were Michael Vaughan’s team to win 2-0, 3-1 or 3-0, that would leave India second, but see England go third, with South Africa fourth. England and South Africa are closely matched in the player rankings, reflecting the tight nature of their contest since the Proteas’ return to international cricket in the 1990s.
Both teams have two batsmen inside the top 20 with Jacques Kallis (sixth) and Smith (12th) keeping company with England’s Kevin Pietersen (10th) and Andrew Strauss (16th).
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