Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: World champions Australia have retained their number-one ranking on the ICC ODI Team Rankings following their 58 runs victory over the West Indies in the final of the tri-series in Barbados on Sunday, but South Africa have dropped behind India in fourth place after they failed to reach the final. Australia had started the series on 124 points and have finished on 123 points, to lead second-ranked New Zealand by 10 points. However, South Africa’s three loses and one no-result has meant they have dropped two points to join India on 110 points, but behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side when the points are calculated beyond the decimal point.

The biggest gainer from the tri-series are the West Indies, who have retained their seventh ranking but more importantly they have gained six points to open up a seven-point advantage over eighth-ranked Pakistan. If this is read in the context that England plus seven highest-ranked sides on the ICC ODI Team Rankings as on September 30, 2017 will qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, then this is a significant improvement.

Sri Lanka and England, who are in the midst of their ODI series, have also swapped places after three matches with England moving ahead of Sri Lanka. The first game had ended in a thrilling tie, England won the second match by 10 wickets, while the third was abandoned due to rain. The final two matches of the series will be played on 29 June and 2 July, which means England have an opportunity to strengthen its fifth position while Sri Lanka have a chance to regain their fifth spot.

Rankings

Rank      Team                      Points

1            Australia                   123

2            New Zealand             113

3            India                        110

4            South Africa              110

5            England                    104

6            Sri Lanka                  104

7            Bangladesh                98

8            West Indies                94

9            Pakistan                     87

10           Afghanistan               51

11           Zimbabwe                 46

12           Ireland                     41