Australia remain the world’s number one Test side, even after losing the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The latest ICC rankings show Pat Cummins’ team is still at the summit with 123 points from 26 matches. The Australians fell to South Africa in the showdown at Lord’s. Aiden Markram scored a decisive knock, while Kagiso Rabada grabbed nine wickets to put pressure on the opposition. Captain Temba Bavuma made key contributions to help the Proteas lift their first major trophy in nearly 27 years. The result was a heavy blow for Australia, but their strong form across the WTC cycle kept their lead at the top. The updated standings reflect their ability to perform across conditions and conquer different opponents. South Africa, meanwhile, jumped up to the second spot in the rankings. The Proteas now have 114 points from 22 matches. Importantly, their triumph against the world’s highest-ranked team meant they received a small boost in points. The win at Lord’s pushed South Africa past England, putting them a point above in the table. Read also: VVS Laxman Joins Indian Team in England Amid Unclear Role Test Rankings Take Shape After Lord’s Final The Proteas are set to face Zimbabwe in a two-Test series starting June 28. The tour is a chance for South Africa to consolidate their form and points. Australia will travel to the West Indies for a tough 3-Test tour beginning June 25. The Australians will aim to retain their momentum and stay firmly at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, India occupies the fourth spot in the table. They fell back after a home whitewash against New Zealand and a Border-Gavaskar series loss against Australia earlier this year. The team is entering a new era under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, following the retirement of veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests. A busy period lies ahead in the longest format. England will soon host India in a 5-Test showdown starting June 20. Both teams will want a strong start to the 2025-27 WTC cycle. The outcome of these match-ups could affect the standings, adding a fresh twist to the race for the final in two years’ time.