Australia on brink of Test rankings slide

Australia are on the verge of dropping out of the top-four of the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings for the first time since 2013.

South Africa completed a resounding 2-0 series victory over Steve Smith’s men in Hobart on Tuesday. The hosts lost 8-32 in their second innings to crumble to an innings defeat in the second Test, which follows on from their 177-run loss in the series-opener in Perth.

Regardless of the result of the dead rubber day-night Test in Adelaide beginning November 24, Australia will squander third spot in the rankings to England when the ICC’s Test rankings are updated following their three Test series against the Proteas.

Current ICC Test Rankings:

Should Steve Smith’s men lose the pink ball encounter and suffer a second consecutive 3-0 series whitewash, Australia will be leap-frogged by South Africa and fall out of the top-four for the first time in over three years.

Australia last dropped out of the top-four following their 4-0 series loss to India in 2013, a tour mainly remembered for the ‘homework-gate’ saga, and their subsequent away Ashes series defeat at the hands of England.

But they soon bounced back to the No.1 spot in March 2014 after resounding victories in the 2013-14 home Ashes and then the ensuing away Test series in South Africa.

Smith received the ICC Test mace for clinching the No.1 ranking for the first time under in his tenure as captain in February this year after Australia’s series win in New Zealand.

But Australia were dethroned in August following their disappointing 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka, with India and Pakistan rising above them.

Australia now face a tough road back to the top of the Test rankings, with a three-Test series against No.2 ranked Pakistan beginning next month, before travelling to India for a four-Test tour.

Virat Kohli’s side are the current No.1 Test team but could be overtaken by England, who drew the first Test against India in Rajkot, if they fail to prevail over Alastair Cook’s side.

Pakistan too could ascend to No.1 in the coming months should they secure series wins against New Zealand, where they begin a two-Test tour on Thursday, and Australia this summer.