England take on West Indies in the first Test at Lord's on Thursday ranked as the second best side in the world.
Michael Vaughan's team have replaced South Africa as Australia's nearest rivals after winning six of their last seven Tests and drawing the other match.
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This is the first time the South Africans have dropped outside the top two in the official International Cricket Council championship since it was introduced in 2001.
They can move back above England if they can win both of their Tests in Sri Lanka next month.
India have been the most successful team behind the Australians over the last 12 months but, with the ratings based on three years of results, still slipped from fourth to fifth.
Australia have won 10 out of 12 series over the past three years, drawing the other two.
ICC Test Championship points table:
1. Australia 129
2. England 107
3. South Africa 106
4. Pakistan 105
5. India 104
6. Sri Lanka 99
7. New Zealand 94
8. West Indies 76
9. Zimbabwe 51
10. Bangladesh 1
