Proteas can lose No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings if Oz blank Pak in upcoming series

South Africa could loose their top spot on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings table if Australia thrash Pakistan in an upcoming series between the two nations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

South Africa reclaimed the number one spot in Test cricket following a dramatic 1-0 series win in Sri Lanka in July. It came after they had lost their top ranking spot to Australia earlier in the year, courtesy of a 2-1 home loss to the visitors.

Australia and Pakistan face each other in two Tests next month and according to the ICC rankings predictor, a 2-0 series win for Australia would take them to 125 ratings points, one ahead of South Africa, Sport24 reported.

However, a 1-0 series win for Australia would not be enough to topple South Africa as both teams would then be locked on 124 ratings points, but the current leaders would be fractionally ahead on margin points.

If the series is drawn, or Pakistan wins, Australia would remain as the number two-ranked team in Tests.

South Africa's next Test assignment is a three-match home series against the West Indies starting on December 17, the report added.

Current ICC Test rankings are:

1. South Africa

2. Australia

3. England

4. Sri Lanka

5. India

6. Pakistan

7. New Zealand

8. West Indies

9. Zimbabwe

10.