$1.3m Payday for Oz in India
Australia could be fighting for more than bragging rights, and rare subcontinental success when they tour India in February with a $1.3 million payday on the line. Amid the ever-changing landscape that is the ICC Test rankings the Aussies currently sit at number two, just behind the Indians who retain top spot following their 4-0 rout of England. Should Australia continue on its two-Test winning streak in the remaining two games against Pakistan, it would ensure the subcontinental series early next year would be a battle for top spot. And the side at the top of the rankings on April 1, two days after the fourth test finishes, will receive the $1.3 million prize, with team number two awarded just under $700,000. Captain Steve Smith’s men will play four Tests against India starting on February 23, with the home side in the middle of a stunning run of success. India has not lost a Test at home since 2012, winning 17 of 19 matches since that loss, with two draws. This year already three teams have been presented with the ICC Test Championship mace for taking over the top ranking.
India was first to the top in January before Aussie skipper Steve Smith took possession in February after a successful home summer. Smith’s men then squandered the number one spot with a 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka in August when Pakistan took hold of it for the first time with a series win in England.
But after Pakistan was skittled by New Zealand in October the mace moved to India when they defeated the West Indies.
More Test victories against the Kiwis and the demolition job of England, which dropped Alastair Cook’s men to fifth in the rankings, ensured India would remain No. 1 at the end of the calendar year. Australia replaced England in second this week and now are within 15 points of India. Daily Telegraph