Zimbabwe, who have been out of Test cricket since January 2006, have dropped out of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings list.

Zimbabwe do not figure in the ICC's [Images] annual list released on Monday because they have played two Tests fewer than the minimum of 10 required for inclusion in the table involving only series completed after August 1, 2004.

"One result of the update is that Zimbabwe has dropped off the main table as it has only played eight Tests since that date," an ICC statement said.

"The update is always scheduled to take place on August 1 each year but as no series are set to finish ahead of that date, it can be carried out now."

World champions Australia stretched their lead to 26 rating points with England [Images] placed second on the list, which is now down to nine teams.

Sri Lanka [Images] and South Africa have jumped two spots to third and fourth respectively, ahead of India and Pakistan.

The Zimbabwe government withdrew the national team from test cricket early last year and the ICC decided several weeks ago that they were not ready to return to the test fold.

They continue to play one-day internationals but have been a depleted side since April 2004, when most senior players retired or opted to further their careers in other countries after a dispute with the board that followed Heath Streak's dismissal as captain.