England slip to fifth in Test rankings

Following their 0-1 Test series loss to Sri Lanka at home, England have slipped to fifth in the latest ICC rankings for Test teams. The Alastair Cook-led side slipped two places with 100 ratings points while both India and Pakistan have moved up one place. India are currently ranked fourth with 102 ratings points, while Pakistan occupy the third spot with 103 ratings points. Australia continue to top the rankings, followed by South Africa in the second place.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who led from the front brilliantly in the Test series against England, achieved his career-best ranking to date. England's Moeen Ali and Sam Robson, meanwhile, made it to the top 100 in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, which were released after the Test series in England.

Sri Lanka's Player of the Series, Mathews climbed two places on the rankings table to occupy the 11th position following his sturdy knock of 160 in the second innings, which helped the visitors set England a target of 350, which the host fell short of by 100 runs. This performance also made him the third Sri Lanka player within the top 20, along with Kumar Sangakkara (2nd) and Mahela Jayawardene (14th).

Meanwhile, there was some good news for England as Moeen, whose resilient unbeaten 108 in the second innings nearly saved the Test for his team, moved up 36 places to break into the top 100 for the first time, in the 92nd position. Close on his heels is team-mate Sam Robson, whose 127 in the first innings, helped him jump 66 places to fetch him the 93rd spot on the rankings table.

The ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers also saw huge gains for the Sri Lanka players. Dhammika Prasad's match figures of 6/125 saw him re-enter the rankings table in the 55th position, while Angelo Mathews' four for 60 in the match saw him jump up eight places to 81st.

Rangana Herath remains the only Sri Lanka bowler within the top ten, at number eight, while Shaminda Eranga (four for 93 and one for 38) has moved up four places to occupy 23rd place.

England will be happy with the performance of Liam Plunkett, who has returned to the side after a seven-year absence. His figures of five for 64 and four for 112 helped him jump 54 places to occupy the 50th spot. James Anderson has also moved up three spots to number 10, only eight ratings points behind Herath.