Sydney: Australia have dropped to fifth place in the Test rankings after losing the Ashes series to England, who edged closer to second-placed South Africa on the latest official list issued on Friday.
Third-placed England went into the series with 112 ratings points and have added three to their tally following their comprehensive 3-1 victory in Australia, the International Cricket Council said in a statement.
England now trail South Africa by two rating points after Graeme Smith and his men drew the three-match home series against table-topper India 1-1.
For Australia, their first Ashes defeat on home soil in 24 years cost three ratings points and dropped them behind Sri Lanka.
South Africa started against India on 116 ratings points and gained just one while the drawn series cost India one point but they continue to lead on 128.
New Zealand have an opportunity to rise to the sixth place if they can beat Pakistan in the two-Test series that started in Hamilton on Friday.
