Australia chasing $1 million bonus

Australia are a series win away from getting their hands on the ICC Test Championship mace and a US$1 million cash prize after the ICC confirmed South Africa's dethroning as the world's No.1 Test nation.

The latest ICC rankings, released on Wednesday night after England completed their series win over the Proteas, confirmed India's ascension to the No.1 spot in Test cricket, a crown Australia can take from them if they win their upcoming two-match series in New Zealand.

The top six Test nations are currently separated by just 11 points meaning the battle for the Trans-Tasman trophy – starting on February 12 – will have serious ramifications for the rankings.

For Australia, a series win of any sort would be enough for them to jump ahead of India to first place.

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South Africa with the ICC Test mace in 2012 // Getty Images

Conversely, a two-nil series win for the Black Caps would push them to 104 rankings points and into fifth position ahead of England, while the Australians would drop to fourth and India would retain top spot.

With the series scheduled to end on February 24, the timing could be perfect – and profitable – for Australia, with the Test championship mace awarded by the ICC annually on April 1.

If Steve Smith’s side manages the series win, it will not only reclaim the Championship Mace, it will also win a cash award of US$1 million.

Either Australia or India will be the first team to earn the $1 million bonus, with the ICC announcing last October that the cash prize would double from the previous award of $500,000.

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England with the ICC Test mace in 2011 // Getty Images

Meanwhile, South African rookie Kagiso Rabada has stormed into the top 30 on the Test bowling rankings having gained 92 places in little more than a month.

The 20-year-old made history in the fourth Test against England this week, taking 13 wickets in just his sixth Test to record the second-best ever match figures by a South African bowler.

Having started the four-match series in 122nd position, Rabada is now in 30th spot, having picked up a further 32 places in the latest rankings.

There was little change to the top 10 bowling rankings with England's Stuart Broad retaining top spot and Protea Morne Morkel jumping two positions to 10th.

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Australia with the ICC Test mace in 2002 // Getty Images

Smith retained his position at the top of the batting rankings, while Hashim Amla moved up four positions to No.4 having posted scores of 109 and 96 in the fourth Test.

The man who replaced Amla as South Africa captain midway through the series, star batsman AB de Villiers, dropped three places to No.7 having posted three consecutive ducks.

Australia's ranking after Trans-Tasman series:

If Australia win series 2-0 - 1st
If Australia win series 1-0 - 1st
If series is drawn 0-0 or 1-1 - 3rd
If New Zealand win series 1-0 - 3rd
If New Zealand win series 2-0 - 4th

ICC Test Player Rankings - Batting

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ICC Test Player Rankings - Bowling

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