South Africa set for ranking windfall after Pakistan win

Tuesday, 19 February 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: South Africa are set to pocket $450,000 after they guaranteed the number one position in the ICC Test Championship beyond the April 1 cut-off date for prize money to be awarded in 2013.

The Proteas’ four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second test at Newlands on Sunday, means they now cannot be caught at the top of the rankings by nearest rivals England, who are in New Zealand, or Australia, who are touring India.

The prize money is a significant increase from previous years, when $175 000 was given to the teams topping the test or one-day international championship table.

While South Africa have sealed the number one spot, the battle for second, third and fourth positions is still alive with 13 points separating second-ranked England from fifth-ranked India. The nation that claims second position at the cut-off date will pick up $350,000, while the team finishing third will collect $250,000 and fourth takes home $150,000.

ICC Test Championship table (before the start of South Africa-Pakistan test series)

Rank        Team                         Points

1.          South Africa              124

2.          England                       118

3.          Australia                     117

4.         Pakistan                      109

5.          India                        105

6.        Sri Lanka                   92

7.          West Indies                91

8.         New Zealand              78

9.          Bangladesh                  00

Zimbabwe are currently unranked as they have played insufficient matches.