New Zealand's Test-series victory over India has boosted Australia's hopes of grabbing second place on the ICC rankings by the April 1 cut-off date.
Tuesday's drawn second Test in Wellington hands the Kiwis a one-nil series win.
MS Dhoni's India side remain in second spot behind South Africa (133), but have slipped from 117 points to 112.
Australia are third on 111.
Michael Clarke's men lead South Africa one-nil and if Australia can triumph one-nil or two-nil in the three-Test series, they'll move to 115 or 116 points respectively.
Australia need a minimum of a drawn series to grab second place on the rankings. A two-one series win to South Africa would drop Australia back to 110 points, two behind India.
Graeme Smith's South Africa side will retain the mace and claim a cheque of US$450,000, while the second-placed side receive US$350,000 and US$250,000 will go to the third-ranked side.
