SYDNEY- Australia returned to the top of the test rankings for the first time since August 2009 today after sweeping an Ashes series and beating previous incumbents South Africa in their own backyard over the last six months.

The Proteas, who had topped the rankings since displacing England in August 2012, slipped below Australia after the results from the 2010-11 season were dropped from the calculations.

The Australians have also retained their top ranking in one-day internationals ahead of India, who have fallen from third to fifth in the test rankings behind the top two nations as well as England and Pakistan.

"We are incredibly proud to be the number-one ranked team in the world in both test and ODI cricket, which are two of the team's most important goals," said Australia captain Michael Clarke.