Aussies smash NZ, drop in world rankings
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.
Australia's unbeaten pair Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja return to the pavilion at the end of day one of the first Test.
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
