Proteas fall to third in Test rankings

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Proteas
  • Post published:February 23, 2019

The shock 2-0 home Test series defeat to Sri Lanka has seen the Proteas slip one place in the ICC’s Test rankings, down to third place behind New Zealand.

At the start of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, South Africa was eyeing  the opportunity to close the gap on India at the top of the rankings. The Proteas had come off the back of a 3-0 series win over Pakistan, and had the momentum to dominate the Sri Lankans, who have suffered a number of Test series defeats in the last few months.

Sri Lanka have also been travelling for some time, whereas the Proteas have been playing at home for two-and-a-half months.

The Proteas kicked off the series on 110 points, but after losing both Tests in the series, they have slipped down to 105 points, placing them two points behind New Zealand, who now hold second place on 107 points.

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Sri Lanka have gained four points to move up to 93 on the list, but remain in sixth position, with England ahead of them in fifth place on 104 points.

New Zealand tackle a three-Test home series next against Bangladesh on 28 February, and a series win is required for them to retain second place.

Pos Team Matches Points Rating
1 India 43 5,007 116
2 New Zealand 30 3,213 107
3 South Africa TBC 3,213 105
4 Australia 44 4,566 104
5 England 53 5,490 104
6 Sri Lanka TBC TBC 93
7 Pakistan 32 2,803 88
8 West Indies 39 2,995 77
9 Bangladesh 25 1,727 69
10 Zimbabwe 11 138 13

Photo: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty Images