At a glance
It’s official – the Black Caps will finish the year as the world’s third-ranked test cricket team.
New Zealand won their fourth consecutive test series by thrashing Sri Lanka in Christchurch last Sunday and finish the year on 107 points, two points ahead of South Africa, whom they have overtaken. However, New Zealand’s joy could be short-lived.
Fourth-placed South Africa, who lead 1-0 in an ongoing three-test series against Pakistan, can reach 110 points and leap all the way to second spot by blanking the opposition. India are on top of the rankings with 116 points. England are currently second with 108.
New Zealand started their series against Sri Lanka with 105 points and could have gone up to
109 points and second place had they won both matches.
Sri Lanka fought back in the first test in Wellington to earn a deserved draw. But New Zealand thumped them by a record 423 runs in the sequel in Christchurch.
The individual world rankings haven’t been updated but expect Tom Latham to continue his rise from No 22 on the back of his outstanding 176 at Hagley Oval.
Kane Williamson should hold firm at No 2 behind Indian great Virat Kohli.
Trent Boult is likely to be the big mover in the bowling rankings where his ranked No 14. Tim Southee is the highest ranked New Zealand bowler at No
11.
New Zealand’s golden spell in the test arena began against the West Indies at the start of last and deciding test in Abu Dhabi.
Since losing 3-0 away to India on the dust bowls in the subcontinent in 2016-17, New Zealand have won 10 matches, drawn four and lost just two. They’ve also won six of their past seven test series, only losing 1-0 to South Africa at home in the 2016-17 season.
New Zealand have a looming home test series with ninth ranked Bangladesh in February, giving them a strong chance to extend their latest piece of history.
Latest test cricket rankings:
1 – India 116 points
2 – England 108
3 – New Zealand 107
4 – South Africa 106
5 – Australia 102
6 – Sri Lanka 93
7 – Pakistan 92
8 – West Indies 70
9 – Bangladesh 69
10 – Zimbabwe 13
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