Christchurch: Australia returned to the top of the Test world rankings, toppling India, on Wednesday after Steve Smith and Adam Voges steered the tourists to victory in the second Test against New Zealand to seal a comprehensive 2-0 series win.
Australia now have 112 rating points against their name while India are on number two position with 110 rating points.
Australia went past India in ICC Test rankings folllowing the Test series win against New Zealand. (Photo: Screengrab from ICC Official Website)
After thrashing the hosts in the first test by an innings and 52 runs in Wellington last week, Australia sealed the second match by seven wickets shortly after lunch on the fifth and final day at Hagley Oval.
It was Australia's seventh win in 11 games under Smith's captaincy, while the match was also the 101st and final test for New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, who now heads into international retirement.
Australia are officially the top ranked Test team in the world after beating New Zealand, who were captained by the...
Posted by ICC - International Cricket Council on Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Australia were last at the summit of Test cricket in July 2014 and Smith set course for a return when he assumed the captaincy from Michael Clarke full time after last year's Ashes loss to England.
While India played brilliantly to seal first Test series win after 22 years in Sri Lanka and then outplayed South Africa 3-0 in four-match series at home, Virat Kohli-led side grabbed the top spot in Test rankings only after England defeated South Africa in three-match Test series last month.
However, with Australia clinching the Test series against New Zealand, India had moved to number two spot in ICC rankings on the day when India will be facing Bangladesh in Asia Cup T20 opener in Mirpur.
Australia had only needed to draw the match at Hagley Oval to retake the top ranking in Test cricket from India.
The series sweep made Australia world number one and earned them a US$1 million prize at the end of the cricket year.
This was the last Test before cricket's attention turns to the World Twenty20 championship in India next month.
