The benchmark awaiting the Australian cricket side in February was emboldened on Tuesday, with South Africa further entrenching themselves as the world’s No.1 Test side.

The Proteas completed a crushing 10-wicket victory over India on Tuesday morning (AEDT), earning a 1-0 series win in the battle between Test cricket’s top two teams.

With the victory South Africa gained two ratings points on the International Cricket Council’s rankings to be on 133, comfortably ahead of No.2 India who dropped to 117.

Australia entered the Ashes series in fifth position on the ICC’s table with 101 ratings points, but will finish in third place above England if they do not lose in the SCG Test starting on Friday.

Australia’s three-match Test series against South Africa starts on February 12 at Centurion.