Cricket: Black Caps could rise to fifth with Sri Lanka win

Kane Williamson is now fourth in the test batting rankings. Photo / Getty

The Black Caps have a chance to climb to fifth in the test rankings with a series win over the touring Sri Lanka side later this month.

New Zealand will once against kick off their summer at home against Sri Lanka, with the two sides to meet in a two-test series beginning in Dunedin next Thursday. They will also play five ODI matches - the first of which will be held on Boxing Day.

A series win against the visitors could see the Black Caps move to fifth in the ICC test rankings, depending on how England fare in South Africa later this month.

The Proteas are currently the top-ranked test nation in the world, ahead of Australia, Pakistan and India.

Australian captain Steven Smith and England's Joe Root remain the best batsmen in the world following the release of the updated player rankings, with both level on 886 points in the latest list.

South Africa's AB de Villiers is in third spot, while Black Caps star Kane Williamson has slipped back to fourth after briefly climbing to a career-high ranking of second following his back-to-back centuries in Perth in his side's opening two matches against Australia last month.

The only other Kiwi to feature in the top 10 is Ross Taylor, who held on to his tenth spot at tenth.