DUBAI

West Indies were languishing at number seven in the latest International Cricket Council Test team rankings announced yesterday as Australia continued their march back towards the top of the table.

The Caribbean side has 88 rating points, ten behind Sri Lanka and five clear of New Zealand who they host in a three-Test series starting in June.

West Indies have recorded just one series win in the last two years, a 1-0 victory away to Bangladesh last November.

However, West Indies will have the chance to make some progress as they have a busy itinerary this year, hosting Australia in a three-Test series starting in March before also travelling to England for another three-Test affair.

Australia jumped to 111 rating points after completing a 4-0 whitewash of India yesterday.

They are currently behind the Indians by a fraction of a point and will take over third spot if they beat West Indies 1-0 or better in the upcoming series.

England remain on top with 125 rating points despite their second successive loss to Pakistan on Saturday, while South Africa are second on 117 points.

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