(Cricket News) Following their 3-0 clean sweep in the Test series against Pakistan, Australia has risen to the top of the most recent ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, surpassing even Team India.

According to the updated rankings, which were made public by the ICC on Saturday, Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, now has 56.25 percentage points, 2.09 percentage points more than Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, which is in second place with 54.16 points.

Australia’s commanding performance against Pakistan at the SCG vaulted them to the top of the WTC standings, even in spite of India’s recent stunning win over South Africa in Cape Town.
It is important to note, though, that Australia has played eight Test matches this cycle, compared to India’s meager four: three home Tests against Pakistan and five Tests against England during the Ashes.

In the future, Australia will play the West Indies in a two-Test series at home in an attempt to maintain its current ranking. Meanwhile, India will play England in a demanding five-Test series at home in an attempt to recover and possibly reclaim the top spot in the WTC rankings.

In the meantime, Pakistan’s ranking at No. 6 fell from 45.83 prior to the SCG Test to 36.66 following the loss. Pakistan was bowled out for 115 in the third Test against Australia due to an inadequate second-inning batting effort, falling short of the first innings 14 runs ahead.

India could not end their wait for a Test series victory in South Africa, but the result in Cape Town keeps the side in good shape as it prepares for the England series later in January. Rohit Sharma’s team drew the series against South Africa 1-1, which was only the second time an Indian team leveled a Test series at South Africa.

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