7 Feb 2012

England's rankings lead slashed to one point

9:07 am on 7 February 2012

England's cricket captain Andrew Strauss says there'll be no knee-jerk reaction to their first ever test series whitewash by Pakistan, that's seen his team's lead at the top of the world rankings slashed to one point.

Another disappointing batting performance from England ended in a 71-run defeat in the third and final test in Dubai, after Pakistan had been dismissed for only 99 in their first innings.

While they performed admirably with the ball, England reached 300 in an innings only once during the series, and were all out for just 72 in the second test.

If South Africa win all three of their upcoming tests against New Zealand in March, they will finish top of the standings at the April 1st annual cut off date.