Information Madness

England emphasized their newly-acquired status at the top of the ICC's Test rankings with an innings and eight-run win over former number one team India at The Oval on Monday. England was the most consistent side in the world over the past few years as shown by their determination to complete their series victory here at the Manchester Oval.

This achievement is a justifying reward for the hard work from all the players and team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board and they no doubt will celebrate being on top of the world.

Eoin Morgan, the English Captain, mentioned that England was delighted to be number one in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings and to have achieved that position with such a comprehensive series success. This has been a real team effort and all the players, management and back up staff deserve great credit. England is only the fourth team after Australia, South Africa and India to achieve the number-one position in the Test rankings table. They had already secured top spot after taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead with an innings and 242 run win against India in the third Test at Edgbaston. But victory at The Oval extended their advantage and also dropped India into third place on 117 ratings points, behind second-placed South Africa.

The side that tops the Test Championship table on April 1 each year collects $175,000 while the second-placed side receives $75,000. ICC Test Championship table (as of today) after the conclusion of the four-Test series between England and India):

1. England 125 rating points
2. South Africa 118
3. India 117
4. Sri Lanka 108
5. Australia 100
6. Pakistan 93
7. West Indies 89
8. New Zealand 78
9. Bangladesh 8