P	W	L	D	Pts	Avge
S Africa	17	13	3	1	27	1.59
Australia	13	9	2	2	20	1.54
N Zealand	17	8	5	4	20	1.18
Sri Lanka	16	8	6	2	18	1.13
England	16	6	6	4	16	1.00
India	15	5	6	4	14	0.93
W Indies	17	7	9	1	15	0.88
Pakistan	17	4	8	4	12	0.75
Zimbabwe	16	3	11	2	8	0.50
Bangladesh	7	0	7	0	0	-

South Africa have ousted Australia from the number one spot after a 2-0 home win over Pakistan.

It is the first change at the top of the table since its introduction in May 2001.

With Australia yet to play Bangladesh or Zimbabwe in a Test series, the South Africa side has had more opportunities to earn points.

They have played 17 of the possible 18 series while Steve Waugh's side have played only 13 different series in the same timeframe.

The championship awards two points for a series win and one for a draw, but it only counts the last result between two teams, at home and away.

Until 2005, the average points per series played decides the ranking. Thereafter, total points will be the key yardstick.

Forthcoming series

November - Australia v England

2003

April - West Indies v Australia
May - England v Zimbabwe
Jun - West Indies v Sri Lanka
Jun -England v South Africa