South Africa retain top Test team status

Dubai, Jan 6 : South Africa have retained their ICC top ranking in Tests following their 2–0 series win over the West Indies.

The win helped South Africa retain the Intertiol Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test Championship mace and pocket a cash award of $500,000, an ICC statement said on Tuesday.

"The series win means irrespective of how both the fourth Test between Australia and India, and the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, pan out, South Africa cannot be removed from the top Test pedestal at the 1 April annual cut–off date," the ICC release said.

The series win ensured South Africa’s top position at the 1 April annual cut–off date.

South Africa are now on 124 ratings points, and even if Australia win the ongoing Sydney Test against India, they would finish on 119 ratings points, confirming the second position for them and an award of $390,000.

A defeat in the Sydney Test would result in Australia losing points but still remaining a place ahead of third–ranked England and fourth–ranked Pakistan, who would collect $280,000 and $170,000, respectively. IANS