England favorite to win Rankings jackpot
England's Test cricket captain Andrew Strauss (2nd R) during a practice session in Dubai on January 5
© AFP
ICC announced a prize of $175,000 for England if they defeat Pakistan in the Test series or lose by a single match whilst staying at top of the world Test rankings.
This is an annual prize and it will be given to the any team topping the ICC Test championship table on April 1.
England is the current world number one in ICC Test rankings, facing Pakistan in an upcoming three test match series in Dubai.
"England will have a chance to win the $175,000 jackpot for topping the ICC Test championship table when it goes head-to-head with Pakistan in a three-Test series," the ICC said.
They will lose the prize if Pakistan defeated them with 2-0 or 3-0, making world number two team South Africa ready to benefit.
South Africa is going to play a three test series against New Zealand between March 7 to 27, therefore they can grab the prize from England, provided New Zealand lose by more than one match and they win on their tour.
"In case of a 1-0 or 2-1 series loss, England will finish on 120 ratings points, one ahead of South Africa (assuming it wins 3-0 against New Zealand)," the ICC explained.
"The side that finishes second in the Reliance ICC Test Championship table on the 1 April cut-off date will receive $75,000."
England captain Andrew Strauss said his team had not thought about the jackpot.
"We haven't thought about that, those sort of things if you start to think about that you are drifting to dangerous terrority," said Strauss.
© Cricket Companion
