New Zealand advance to third in Test Rankings
New Zealand have overtaken South Africa to take third place in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings after completing a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in their two-Test series.
The home side, which won the second Test in Christchurch by a record 423 runs, reaped the dividends of a fourth consecutive Test series win to finish the year at 107 points.
New Zealand cruise to a record 423-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final Test to clinch the two-match series 1-0 in Christchurch.#NZvSL REPORT 👇https://t.co/hXfEPyIdEz pic.twitter.com/hnkI77R9HL
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2018
They started the series with 105 points and could have gone up to 109 points and second place had they won both matches against Sri Lanka.
However, fourth-placed South Africa, who lead 1-0 in an ongoing three-Test series against Pakistan, can reach 110 points and second spot by blanking the opposition.
India, who lead 2-1 after three matches of their four-Test series in Australia, remain at the top of the year-end rankings with 116 points. England are second with 108 points and Australia fifth on 102 points.