Odds on England beating Australia to win the Ashes have also been shortened to 100-30 from 5-1 as a result of the triumph.

William Hill make Australia 1-2 favourites, with 7-2 against a drawn series.

Since the ranking system was first devised in 1996, England have never been higher than sixth out of nine.

They went bottom in August 1999 after losing to New Zealand but have now won four consecutive series.

Australia lead the table, as they have done for more than four years, with South Africa second and West Indies third.

England now go level with Sri Lanka, ahead of Pakistan.

England and Sri Lanka will move into joint third if West Indies lose the on-going home series to South Africa.

The World Championship is based on the latest meetings, home and away, between each pair of teams.

Two points are awarded for winning a series (or one-off Test); one for a draw.

Meetings prior to September 1993 are excluded.

Bangladesh, the 10th Test nation, do not have a ranking because they have only played one Test.