In the newly updated ICC Test Team rankings, Australia has emerged on top with a six-point gap over India. 

The ranking system works on a four-year cycle. The latest update means results from the 2012-13 season are no longer included and the outcome from the series played during 2014-15 fetched half the points.

India are on 2nd spot, leading third-placed Pakistan by just one point. Pakistan has benefitted from the annual update as the defeat against South Africa by 3-0 in 2012-13 no longer counts, while the 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in 2014-15 has its weighting reduced to 50 per cent.

However, South Africa had to bear the brunt of the update which has resulted in them dropping from third position to sixth after conceding 17 points.

This has happened due to South Africa's victories over England, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2012-13 all being dropped from the rankings calculations.

The annual update has also affected the West Indies, who have retained their eighth position but have dropped from 76 points to 65 points. This is because its victories over New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in 2012-13 have not been considered. 

The gap between the West Indies and ninth-ranked Bangladesh has been slashed from 29 points to just eight points.

With Sri Lanka and Pakistan touring England in the summer, Australia touring Sri Lanka in July and South Africa hosting New Zealand in August, the results will affect the rankings drastically. 

MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings:

1) Australia - 118
2) India - 112
3) Pakistan - 111
4) England - 105
5) New Zealand - 98
6) South Africa - 92
7) Sri Lanka - 88
8) West Indies - 65
9) Bangladesh - 57