Proteas aim for top spot in Test ranking

South Africa’s national cricket team could regain a top spot in the world Test rankings and pocket about R1.4-million if it secures a whitewash over New Zealand in March.

The Proteas remained in third position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship table when the latest list was released on Monday.

However, with second-placed India certain to drop due to recent poor performances, the ICC said South Africa and England would be left in a two-horse race for the top spot, and the annual prize money, at the April 1 cut-off date.

The Proteas would need to defeat New Zealand 3-0 on their tour down under and would also need other results to go their way.

“England will give South Africa a window of opportunity to top the table if it loses to Pakistan by 2-0 or more,” the ICC said in a statement.

“In the scenario of England losing 2-0 and South Africa winning 3-0, both sides will be locked on 119 ratings points but South Africa will be ranked above England by one 10th of a decimal point.”

The ICC said the side that finished second in the Test Championship table on the cut-off date would receive about R610 000.—Sapa