ICC Rankings: India lose No. 1 Test spot to Australia

Christchurch, Feb 24: Australia are the new number one ranked Test team in the world. They have replaced India at the top of the ICC Rankings today (February 24).

Match scorecard

On Wednesday, the Steve Smith-led Australian side defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets to clean sweep the 2-Test series 2-0 in Christchurch. On the 5th and final day today, they required 131 more runs (201 target) to win. They scored the runs for the loss of 3 wickets having started the day at 70/1.

Australian players pose with the trophy after winning the series 2-0 against New Zealand. Photo from Cricket Australia's (CA) Twitter page

India had climbed to the top of ICC Test Rankings last month, on January 16. They benefited from England's series win over South Africa.

Before the start of the series, Australia were 2nd on the table with 109 rating points. India were on top with 110 points. With today's 2-0 win, Australia have 112 points. India are pushed to 2nd.

With no Test to be played till the annual cut-off date April 1 (all teams will be at World T20 from March 8 to April 3), the Australian side will also receive $ 1 million prize money from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Prize money for top 4 Test sides (cut-off date April 1, 2016)

No. 1 ranked Test side (Australia) - $1 million

No. 2 (India) - $500,000

No. 3 (South Africa) - $200,000

No. 4 (Pakistan) - $100,000

Total - $1.8 million

Test rankings as on February 24, 2016 after the completion of New Zealand-Australia series

1. Australia (112 rating points)

2. India (110)

3. South Africa (109)

4. Pakistan (106)

5. England (102)