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In Pictures: Top ranked Test nations

South Africa just knocked England off the top of the Test rankings but who makes up the world’s best sides?

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CRICKET-ENG-RSA
Sitting pretty at the top of the Test rankings are South Africa who claimed the number one spot with a 2-0 series victory over England. To make the win all the sweeter it was England who they leapfrogged in the standings
Published On 21 Aug 2012
England v South Africa: 3rd Investec Test - Day One
There was little England could do but stand and stare after they were defeated by a superior South African team on home turf. However, the number two Test ranking is still something for a nation so used to Test defeats to be proud of
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Australian cricket team captain Michael
"(It(***)s up to us) to realise we sit fourth in the one-day rankings, third in the Test rankings and eighth or ninth in the Twenty20 rankings," says a disgruntled captain Michael Clarke. Which is just not good enough for a team that got used to being at the top
Pakistani cricketer Azhar Ali raises his
Fourth-ranked Pakistan have not hosted a Test series since 2009 after terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team but their cricket has gone from strength to strength. They have defeated Bangladesh and England in 2012, although recently lost a series to Sri Lanka
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (R) sits wi
A year ago they were top of the pile but now they prefer riding motorbikes. Only joking - India are still a force to be reckoned with but fifth place is not where they would hope to be in the rankings. Here Virat Kohli (R) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) are spinning wheels rather than balls
Sri Lankan cricket team captain Mahela J
In the number six spot are Sri Lanka who shocked the cricketing world with a Test series victory over Pakistan. With a captain like Mahela Jayawardene (pictured) and notorious bowler Lasith Malinga they have the individuals to threaten the top ranked sides
West Indies cricket team captain Darren
Oh deary me what has happened to the heady days of West Indian cricket? In the late 1990s they were the team to beat but now team captain Darren Sammy has the unenviable job of rebuilding a team that isn(***)t laughable in comparison. He still smiles though!
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They are a nation known for their rugby not their cricket, but New Zealand are still in the top eight of the world(***)s teams. It is a slow development process but the Kiwis are showing signs of giving the teams above them a challenge. Maybe a cricket Haka could help?
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And at the bottom of the pile looking upwards are Bangladesh. Pakistan and the West Indies are two of the teams to have beaten them over the last year. The only way is up! Unless it is down...