St Johns (Antigua), May 13 : Australia returned to the top of the International Cricket Council's test championship rankings despite their defeat in the fourth and final test to the West Indies here today.
The Australians won the Caribbean series 3-1, after big wins in the opening three tests in Georgetown, Port of Spain and Bridgetown. Australia's series win lifted their points tally to 21 from 13 series, improving their average to 1.62 - 0.01 higher than previous leader South Africa's average. Australia will be the last side to head the criticised ICC test championship under the present system with a new method of calculation to be introduced from next month.
The system was agreed by the ICC board in Johannesburg on March 22 this year and rewards teams for their performances in every test match played.

The ICC said an announcement detailing the new standings and the new method of calculation would be made towards the end of the month.

ICC test championship table as at may 13: (team, played, won, lost, drawn, points, average) Australia 13 10 2 1 21 1.62 South Africa 18 14 3 1 29 1.61 New Zealand 17 8 4 5 21 1.24 Sri Lanka 16 7 6 3 17 1.06 England 16 6 6 4 16 1.00 India 15 5 6 4 14 0.93 West Indies 17 7 10 0 14 0.82 Pakistan 16 4 8 4 12 0.75 Zimbabwe 16 3 11 2 8 0.50 Bangladesh 8 0 8 0 0 0. Afp bjb 05140008 d

Bureau Report