India have retained their number 1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings and the ICC Test Championship Mace. Because of that, they won the purse of $ 1 million for the third year continuously. New Zealand placed second in the list. Virat Kohli led India performed really well in the Tests and the top spot was sure for them. However, New Zealand too performed quite well and moved up to the second position and earnt $ 500,000 after finishing with 108 points.
South Africa, who had earlier finished in the second place two times, will now get $200,000 for finishing in the third place with 105 points while Australia finished at number four with 104 points and earned $100,000.
Manu Sawhney, the chief executive of International Cricket Council has congratulated India for retaining the top spot.
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“I congratulate India on retaining the ICC Test Championship Mace and appreciate the passion Virat Kohli’s team has shown across formats over the past few years. It takes so much dedication and determination to consistently perform at the highest level in Test cricket,” said Sawhney.
“Test cricket has been enjoying a purple patch over the last couple of years with more positive results than ever and a genuine competitive balance between nations. The World Test Championship gets underway in August and will give fans greater context for all Test cricket providing an undisputed conclusion to some of the most renowned cricket rivalries in the international game.,” he further added.
“Nine Test nations will compete across 27 series and 71 Test matches to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021 where the World Test Champions will be crowned.”
India captain Virat Kohli said that it’s a matter of proud to retain the place and they are looking forward to play more Test cricket.
“Retaining the ICC Test Championship Mace once again is something we are all really proud of. Our team has been doing well across formats but it gives us extra pleasure to come out on top of the Test rankings. We all know of the importance of Test cricket and of how only the best can prosper in the format,” said Kohli.
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“Our team has a lot of depth and I am sure this will stand us in good stead once the ICC World Test Championship commences later this year. That is again something we are really looking forward to as it adds more context to Test match cricket,” he added.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that to finish in the second position is really an achievement and they worked hard for it.
“It’s an awesome achievement for our side to finish second in the ICC Test Team Rankings and as a team we should be very proud. It’s come off the back of a lot of hard work and perseverance; not just by the eleven guys on the field, but the entire squad and support staff,” said Williamson.
“It’s been especially pleasing to see the consistency we’ve shown in the longest form of the game over a decent period of time. We’re now all really looking forward to the ICC World Test Championship getting underway and the added context the competition will bring,” he further added.
