Australia have regained "The No.1 Ranking" in Test Cricket following their rampage against the world's best test teams namely England and South Africa.
The news came out in the morning (In Australia) as Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke were trending on Twitter and soon the news broke out that Australia are back to the top spot in ICC Rankings which will add to their No.1 spot in ODIs as well.
Also, England have jumped up one spot in the rankings to 3rd with the Proteas coming down to 2nd and India going down from 3rd to 5th.
For anyone asking how Australia made it to no.1, here's how it worked: "The ICC's Test team rankings formula works on a rolling, weighted four-year cycle. Rankings are updated after each series, but each may points accrued four years ago drop off. Points gained in the year prior to August 2011 drop off from the rankings calculation from today, which is how Australia has regained the No.1 position – and South Africa lose it – without a ball being bowled."
The May 1 cut-off means Australia's forgettable 1-3 Ashes series reverse and a 0-2 loss in India, as well as a drawn series with Pakistan, no longer count.
South Africa drops points gained for a 1-1 result at home against India while they also beat the West Indies 2-0 away.
The annual update also means points gained in 2012-13 are now less significant. Under the ICC's formula, matches in the first two years of the cycle count as half, while full points carry forward for two years." as told by Cricket Australia.
Michael Clarke, who soon spread the word on Twitter seemed too amused and said
"I think it's just reward for the hard work we've put in over the past two years," Clarke told Cricket.com.au. "This team has certainly been through some tough times. There's memories stuck in my head from the criticism we copped after the Indian tour when we lost 4-0 and we were named the worst team to ever tour India.
"When things like that are said about the team as a player you take it personally but I can guarantee you as captain it breaks your heart so that's always tough to hear.
"But through tours like that and the tough times, it's allowed the players to become so strong a group and to work exceptionally hard to get this result.
"For me, as captain, No.1 was my goal. I said from day one – I think we were third or fourth when I took over from Ricky – and then I know we got to fifth after losing in India. My goal never changed, I wanted to help this team get back to being the No.1 team in the world and I know the players were exactly the same."
Well well well, how good is this for Australia? The Aussie resurgence as I might term it, Michael Clarke, Darren Lehmann and not to forget, an inspired Mitchell Johnson have led their team to where the world of Cricket saw them for almost 10 years. Just two words, "Well deserved".
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