ICC Test Match Rankings: Top 5 longest streaks as the No. 1 team

2) South Africa: 18 months

This South African side was dominant in Test cricket for a 3 year period

South Africa held the top spot in the rankings from July 2014 - January 2016. Their ascension to the top was complete after a draw against Sri Lanka in Colombo and they were dethroned after slipping to 2 - 0 in the 4 match home Test series against England.

It was a period in which they were captained by Hashim Amla and had a very talented side with match-winners like AB De Villiers, Faf Du Plessis and Dale Steyn all playing a major part for them.

In the 18 month period, the Proteas recorded an away win in Zimbabwe, comfortably overwhelmed the Windies at home, drew away with Bangladesh and were decimated in India.