South Africa have returned to the top of the ICC Test rankings after beating Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town, according to দ্য ডেইলি স্টার বাংলা. The hosts bowled Australia out for 111 on the fifth day on Saturday, sealing a 2-1 series win and ending a wait of more than ten years for the No. 1 spot.
Simon Harmer, the spinner, took six wickets in Australia's second innings, while fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed three, the outlet reported. The result lifted South Africa above Australia in the standings.
Why it matters
The win restores South Africa to a position they last held in January 2016, per দ্য ডেইলি স্টার বাংলা. It also confirms the World Test Championship holders as the leading red-ball side at a moment when the top of the table is tightly packed.
South Africa now sit on 124 rating points. Australia, displaced from first, are second on 122. New Zealand follow on 106, with India on 105 and England on 102 completing the top five, the outlet reported.
The margin between the top two is narrow enough that the order could shift again in the coming months, which gives the ranking change added weight.
A series that swung both ways
The contest between the two most recent World Test Championship finalists was closely fought throughout, according to দ্য ডেইলি স্টার বাংলা. Australia began strongly in Durban, winning the first Test by 214 runs.
South Africa responded in Gqeberha, where they beat the visitors by an innings and 31 runs to level the series. That set up the Cape Town match as a decider in all but name.
The final Test followed the same pattern of momentum swings, with fortune moving between the sides across the days. On the fifth day, South Africa's bowlers took charge and removed Australia's batting line-up for 111, settling the match and the series.
The comeback from a first-Test defeat, sealed with back-to-back wins, was described by দ্য ডেইলি স্টার বাংলা as a strong example of a complete team performance. The result also moved South Africa to second place in the current World Test Championship points table.
What to watch
South Africa's hold on the No. 1 ranking will be tested as the next round of Test fixtures unfolds, with Australia close behind on points and New Zealand, India and England within reach of the leading pair.
