New Zealand become No.1 in Test cricket for first time ever

New Zealand players celebrate after winning day four of the second international cricket Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Pic/PTI

New Zealand grabbed the number one position in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in history after decimating Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second Test in Christchurch, on Wednesday.

The comfortable series-clinching victory, shaped by captain Kane Williamson's double century, pushed the Kiwis to top of the heap as they became the sixth country in the past 10 years to be ranked number one in Test cricket. "A huge victory in the second Test has propelled New Zealand to the No.1 spot in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings," the ICC tweeted.

Overall, they are the seventh side in the world to hold the number one spot. New Zealand came close to reaching the summit in the last couple of years but stayed second on the table. They now have 118 points, two more than Australia and four clear of third-placed India. England (106) and South Africa (96) complete the top-five. Williamson consolidated his top spot in the batting list.

He had recently leapfrogged India captain Virat Kohli and Australian star Steve Smith with three centuries, including two double centuries, in his last six innings. The Black Caps are also inching closer to the top two spots in the ICC World Test Championship standings. They are still third with 70 (PCT) percentage points but are narrowing the gap with Australia (76.7) and India (72.2).

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