Australia leapfrogs England and Pakistan into third place

DUBAI: India held on to their second spot even as a resurgent Australia leapfrogged to third in the latest ICC Test rankings after whitewashing England 5-0 in the Ashes series.

Australia's 281-runs victory over England in the fifth and final Test in Sydney has helped them jump two places to third on the table.

The 5-0 series win has helped Australia gain 10 ratings points to finish on 111, six ratings points behind second-ranked India, the ICC said in a statement.

England, on the other hand, have conceded nine ratings points to end at 107, thereby moving down a place to fourth.

South Africa are the clear leader of the table with 133 ratings points.

Australia had entered the Ashes series in fifth position on 101 ratings points but after taking a 4-0 lead, it was guaranteed fourth position on the table.

Michael Clarke's side needed to either draw or win the Sydney Test to be able to move up two places to third.

Australia next play host South Africa in a three-Test series from February 12, while England's next assignment is a two-Test series against Sri Lanka from June 12.

Number-two ranked India will be featuring in a two-Test series from February 10 against New Zealand.