There's much more than just the series on the line ahead of the 4th India-Aus Test

03/22/2017

Steve Smith and his team will be fighting to keep hold of their second place in the ICC Test rankings, with South Africa threatening to dislodge them ahead of the April 1st deadline. There’s also a cash prize of $500,000 on the line. India are certain to stay on top, regardless of the result.

As things stand, Australia have a lot more to play for in the fourth Test than just retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy. It’s their second spot in the ICC Test rankings at stake as well.

The Test is essentially a fight between Australia and South Africa for the second and third place in the ICC Test rankings, given that India are certain to keep the top spot and pocket $1 million regardless of the outcome in Dharamsala.

While Australia need at least a draw in the 4th match to maintain their second spot, South Africa can dislodge them only if Australia lose and the Proteas better their result in their last Test match against New Zealand, starts in Hamilton on the same day.

As per the ICC, the third place team as on April 1st will receive $200,000, while the fourth place team, which will be England, will receive an amount of $100,000. The Test team rankings, unlike the ODI ad T-20 rankings, are updated at the end of a series. And if South Africa manage to dislodge the Aussies, it’ll be a double blow for Steve Smith and his team, as the Proteas have clinched their top spot in ODI’s earlier this month.

However, the Aussies have given a good account of themselves in the ongoing tour. Despite many had written them off before they arrived in India for the Test series, Smith’s men have given India a good run for their money in the first three Tests, so far. After being routed in the first Test in Pune on a pitch that was spinning cobwebs, India managed to comeback and win the second Test in Bangalore and the Aussies managed to salvage a hard-fought draw on the final day of the third Test in Ranchi.

Now, with the series deadlocked, there’s all to play for in the final Test in Dharamsala from Saturday.