ICC praise 'clinical' England after India sweep

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat saluted a "clinical" England after presenting captain Andrew Strauss with the global governing body's mace for the world's top Test side following the hosts' 4-0 rout of India.

"I know England were determined to be number-one and through careful planning and a series of clinical performances, they have deservedly achieved their goal," Lorgat said. © AFP

England underlined their newly-acquired status at the top of the ICC's Test rankings with an innings and eight-run win over former number one team India at The Oval on Monday.

"I know England were determined to be number-one and through careful planning and a series of clinical performances, they have deservedly achieved their goal," Lorgat said after the conclusion of the fourth and final Test.

"They were clearly the most consistent side in the world over the past few years as evidenced by their determination to complete their series victory here at The Oval," the South African added.

"This achievement is just reward for the hard work from all the players and team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board and they no doubt will celebrate being on top of the world.

"It was a privilege to be here at The Oval to join a full house to watch another riveting day of Test match cricket."

Strauss added: "We are delighted to be number one in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings and to have achieved that position with such a comprehensive series success. This has been a real team effort and everyone of the players, management and back up staff deserve great credit.

"Becoming number one in the world was our stated ambition two and a half years ago and even though we have achieved that objective we will continue to look to build on this success.'

England are only the fourth team after Australia, South Africa and India to achieve the number-one position in the Test rankings table.

They had already secured top spot after taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead with an innings and 242 run victory against India in the third Test at Edgbaston.

But victory at The Oval extended their advantage and also dropped India into third place on 117 ratings points, behind second-placed South Africa.

The Test table will next be updated at the end of the Sri Lanka-Australia series which starts in Galle on August 31.

The side that tops the Test Championship table on April 1 each year collects $175,000 for doing so while the second-placed side receives $75,000.

ICC Test Championship table (as of August 22, after the conclusion of the four-Test series between England and India):

1. England 125 rating points
2. South Africa 118
3. India 117
4. Sri Lanka 108
5. Australia 100
6. Pakistan 93
7. West Indies 89
8. New Zealand 78
9. Bangladesh 8