England's nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Monday has helped them narrow the gap on third-ranked New Zealand in the World Test Championship standings.

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England, who levelled the series with their triumph and denied South Africa the chance to clinch their first series win in England since 1965, have improved their ICC Test rating by three points to 104.

Although they remain fourth in the table, they are now just two points behind New Zealand and 10 clear of fifth-ranked India.

World one-day champions Australia maintain their grip at the top of the standings on 129 points, with South Africa second on 116.

But the third place will be at stake next month when New Zealand face a tough away series in India while England travel to Bangladesh.

That same month, South Africa meet Pakistan away and Australia host Zimbabwe.

The Test standings are updated at the end of each Test series.

The ICC Test Championship Table, August 8, 2003:

Position	Team	Rating
1	Australia	129
2	South Africa	116
3	New Zealand	106
4	England	104
5	India	94
6	Pakistan	92
7	Sri Lanka	91
8	West Indies	83
9	Zimbabwe	58
10	Bangladesh	0