THE battle for number two in the ICC Team Test rankings will go down to the wire with England, Australia and India still in the running. South Africa (128 points) has already sealed top position before the April 1 cut-off date with England (118) in pole position to secure second with a win or draw in the third Test against New Zealand in Auckland, starting tomorrow.
If England loses against New Zealand, then the winner of the fourth Test between India (105) and Australia (117), also starting on March 22, will leap into second position.
Pakistan (104) rounds out the top five with Sri Lanka (92), West Indies (91) and New Zealand (78) the other countries featuring in the top nine.
The ICC approved an increase of prize money for Test ranking positions in 2012 meaning that South Africa is already guaranteed US$450 000 for finishing first, with second (US$350 000), third (US$250 000) and fourth (US$150 000) also collecting payouts.
In the one-day-international rankings, India is assured of first place from England and Australia with fourth-placed South Africa capable of moving into second position with consecutive wins against Pakistan in the ODI series. (CA)