Australia still the World Number 1 side in ODIs

Australia are still the world No.1 in the ICC World rankings in One-Day internationals following their series loss against New Zealand. While South Africa stay at No.2 after their win against Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI at Johannesburg, that was painted pink to mark the awareness for breast cancer. It was Australia who was feeling the heat down under with some terribly close shaves against New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee series.

Kane Williamson’s New Zealand secured an impressive 2-0 win over the Aussies after Trent Boult completed yet another six-wicket haul, something that would go ahead and ensure that the Kiwis had indeed claimed the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on the day. Moreover, the fact of the matter was that the whole Australian squad was a bit of a turmoil, especially this being a second-string Aussie squad of sorts.

At the moment, both Australia and South Africa are level on rating points with 118 points apiece. While it is now out of Australia’s hand in terms of getting the series result they required, they will now hope that Sri Lanka can pull the bunny out of the hat and ensure a victory. However, given the fact that it seems a ridiculous and unlikely idea, the fact is that the Proteas will aim scale the peak of the summit and enter the ICC Champions Trophy as the world’s number one ranked side.

As for new Zealand, their rating points accumulated to an impressive 113, something that sees them cement their place in third spot, one point ahead of India on 112. This means that India will enter the Champions Trophy in fourth place on the rankings as they look to defend their Champions Trophy title they won in the same venue all those years ago in 2013.

ICC ODI Team Rankings (After New Zealand-Australia series, and three matches in South Africa-Sri Lanka series):

Team                   Points

Australia            118 (-2)

South Africa      118

New Zealand     113 (+2)

India                    112

England              107

Sri Lanka            99

Bangladesh        91

Pakistan             89

West Indies       87

Afghanistan       52

Zimbabwe          47

Ireland                42