On one of Australia’s most dominant days in Test cricket, Steve Smith’s men have ironically been relegated to No.3 in the ICC Test rankings.
Pakistan’s 127-run third Test win over England in Sharjah, for a 2-0 series win, lifted Misbah-ul-Haq’s men to No.2 behind South Africa in the new standings.
The sub-continental giants have won four of their last five series and lost just once in their last nine series, dating back to September 2013.
Australia began a new era under Smith at the Gabba yesterday in promising fashion, compiling 2-389 on the first day against New Zealand with vice-captain David Warner smashing 163 and Usman Khawaja making an unbeaten 102.
Rankings:
1. South Africa
2. Pakistan
3. Australia
4. India
5. New Zealand
6. England
7. Sri Lanka
8. West Indies
9. Bangladesh
10. Zimbabwe
-AAP