Windies poised for upward movement in Test ratings

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Embattled West Indies could make a significant jump in the ICC Test Championship if they manage to pull off a series win over Sri Lanka on the current tour there.

The first Test in Galle last week finished in a draw and rain has already ravaged the second game, with Sri Lanka reaching 294 for five at the end of the second day yesterday in Colombo.

West Indies, however, currently ranked eighth on 79 points, are poised to move ahead of the  seventh place New Zealand even if they lose the series to Sri Lanka 1-0.
If West Indies lose the series 2-0, they will remain in eighth position on 79 points, a position they have occupied for some time.
Should the regional side defy the odds and win the series, they will move ahead of Pakistan in sixth position on 88 points, with a 1-0 win taking them to 89 points and a 2-0 win pushing them to 91 points.

However, West Indies have not beaten Sri Lanka in a series in over a decade and have lost their lost five Tests in the Asian country.
Sri Lanka, ranked third behind top-ranked India and the second placed South Africa, are now guaranteed to remain unmoved because of the drawn first Test.
They are just one point behind South Africa and cannot overtake them even if they win the series against West Indies. Even a 2-0 triumph will not be enough for Sri Lanka to leapfrog the Proteas.

ICC Test Championship (as of 24 November 2010).
1 India 129
2 South Africa 116
3 Sri Lanka 115
4 England 112
5 Australia 110
6 Pakistan 88
7 New Zealand 80
8 West Indies 79
9 Bangladesh 7