Dubai: Sri Lanka, riding on its Test series win over Pakistan, levelled India (119) on points in the ICC Test championships table but, replaced M.S. Dhoni’s team at No. 3 after re-calculation upto the nearest decimal — 0.01 ratings points difference after the annual update released on Tuesday, which reflects the performance of only the last three years with the older results being discarded.

The progress of Kumar Sangakkara’s team is due to a consistently high performance during the period of the rankings. In that time, the team has played 10 series, winning six, drawing three and losing just one (in Australia).

Australia (124) clung on to the top above second-placed South Africa (122) as just five ratings points separate top four teams.

But Ricky Ponting’s men must win both the remaining Ashes Tests to stay there. Otherwise, it will be Graeme Smith’s turn to lead the No. 1 Test team in the world.

Australia has led the Test rankings ever since the current method was introduced in May 2003.

No matter how the Ashes finishes, England (99) will remain in fifth position but if the home side wins the series, Australia will drop to fourth position in the Test Championship table.

If the series ends in a 1-1 draw, South Africa will rise to the top. Australia, Sri Lanka and India will all have the same rating, but with Australia still clinging on to second place by a decimal point.