Aussies in fourth place in ICC rankings after loss to Pak
By ANISunday, July 25, 2010
LEEDS - Australia has slipped to fourth place in the ICC rankings after drawing a Test series against Pakistan here.
The Leeds defeat was Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s first Test loss to Pakistan.
The loss at Headingley, combined with Sri Lanka’s crushing victory over India in the teams’ first Test at Galle, has resulted in Australia shedding three ratings points and dropping from third in the Test rankings to fourth with 116 points, replaced by Sri Lanka, who moved from 115 points to 119.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt said: ”It is a win [but] we should not be so happy as if we have achieved everything. From here on we can build on. Pakistan cricket has got a new hope with the new guys who came in performing strongly and the management, including myself, will back them. I am certain if we give these guys more time we can become a world-beating side in Test matches.”
Ponting downplayed the suggestion the loss would dent his players’ confidence for the Ashes.
”I don’t think it will do too much to dent our confidence. You want to win every game that you play … but we haven’t been at our best in this game. Late November’s a long way away yet. I’m not even focusing on the Ashes just yet. A loss quite often just highlights some of the things you’re not doing well, and that’s all this week will do for us. We know we’ve just got to continue to work hard and not take anything for granted.” (ANI)
