Proteas could lose No 1 spot

Cape Town - The Proteas could lose their No 1 spot on the ICC Test rankings table if Australia rout Pakistan in an upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa reclaimed the No 1 spot in Test cricket following a dramatic 1-0 series win in Sri Lanka in July. It came after they had lost their top ranking spot to the Aussies earlier in the year, courtesy of a 2-1 home loss to the Baggy Greens.

Australia and Pakistan face each other in two Tests next month (Dubai, October 22 and Abu Dhabi, October 30) and according to the ICC rankings predictor, a 2-0 series win for Australia would take them to 125 ratings points, one ahead of South Africa.

However, a 1-0 series win for Australia would not be enough to topple South Africa as both teams would then be locked on 124 ratings points, but the Proteas would be fractionally ahead on margin points.

If the series is drawn, or Pakistan win, Australia would also remain as the No 2-ranked team in Tests.

South Africa's next Test assignment is a three-match home series against the West Indies starting on December 17.

Current ICC Test rankings:

1. South Africa - 124 ratings points        
2. Australia - 123            
3. England - 104   
4. Sri Lanka - 101    
5. India - 96              
6. Pakistan - 96              
7. New Zealand - 93
8. West Indies - 75
9. Zimbabwe - 39
10. Bangladesh - 19