Australia aim for top Test spot

Dubai, Oct 21 (IANS) Australia have a chance to reclaim the top Test team spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings when they take on Pakistan in a two-match series in the United Arab Emirates from Wednesday.

The first Test begins Wednesday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium while the second match is scheduled to start from Oct 30 at Abu Dhabi.

A 2-0 series win will lift Australia to the top of the summit, a point clear of leaders South Africa. A 1-0 series victory will move Australia level with South Africa on 124 points but the Proteas will continue to hold the top spot by a slender 0.24 point margin.

In contrast, a 1-0 win for sixth-placed Pakistan, which currently lies level on points with India, will move them up to fourth while a 2-0 triumph will push them further up the ladder to third place, 12 points behind Australia.

Even a 1-1 draw will see Pakistan edge clear of India while Australia will slip three points behind the leaders.

Australia were most recently the No.1 ranked Test side between May and July before South Africa overtook them.