England slip to sixth in Test rankings, lowest points rating since 1995

England have tumbled to sixth in the world Test rankings ahead of the Ben Stokes era with the ICC's annual update seeing the team record their lowest points rating since 1995.

Stokes, who succeeded Joe Root as skipper last week, takes over a side that has managed just one win and suffered 11 defeats in their last 17 Tests.

England lost 1-0 in the West Indies in March, a result that followed a 4-0 Ashes thrashing across December and January, and they have now seen their rating slip from 97 to 88 points with the 4-1 win at home to India in 2018 wiped from the rankings.

Stokes' side have dropped below Pakistan (93 points), who fill out the top five behind Australia (128), India (119), New Zealand (111) and South Africa (110).

The new rankings reflect all Test series played since May 2019, with those completed prior to May 2021 weighted at 50 per cent and series after that at 100 per cent.

England face New Zealand and South Africa in three-Test series at home this summer, while they will also meet India in a game rearranged from last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The result of the India Test will be included in England's current rating, with the standings updated after the conclusion of that match, which takes place at Edgbaston between July 1-5.

Stokes spoke to the media on Tuesday for the first time since being appointed, saying Test cricket was his "No 1 priority" and that he wanted "selfless" players in his team moving forward.

The 30-year-old also explained why he is so passionate about Test cricket, saying: "If you have played five-day Tests, right to the end, the feeling of coming off winning that game, you don't really get that from another form.

"You don't know what's going to happen day-to-day,