Australia slip down in Test rankings, Bangladesh benefitted

Australia, after suffering a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test in Dhaka, came back to win the second one in Chittagong to avoid a series defeat. Despite their victory, they have suffered in the ICC Test rankings. The Steve Smith-led side has slipped down one spot to 5th.

Australia are preceded by India, South Africa, England and New Zealand in order from top to 4th spot. Due to Bangladesh’s low rankings, the 1-1 draw didn’t help Australia’s cause and hence the fall in the rankings.

On the other hand, Bangladesh have benefitted from the result and earned 5 points from the series draw. The Mushfiqur Rahim-led side now has 74 points and are just 1 behind the 8th ranked Windies side.

Latest ICC Test Team Rankings

Historical result for the hosts

The first Test in Dhaka witnessed history as Bangladesh defeated Australia for the first time in the longest format of the game. It was an outstanding performance from the home side to defeat a mighty side like Australia.

A rank turner was presented and the visitors failed the spin test. Shakib Al Hasan was the premier contributor as he took 10 wickets in the game to go with the half-century in the first innings. The opener Tamim Iqbal also scored 2 fifties in the game and contributed big time.

There were speculations that the hosts would ride on the misery of the opposition to enforce a clean sweep. But when the chips were down, the Australians fought back in the second Test to level the series.

Nathan Lyon was outstanding in the game as he picked 13 wickets in the Test and took his tally to 22 in the series and fittingly, he was adjudged the Man of the Series.