DUBAI-
South Africa has reclaimed the number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings following the conclusion of its series against New Zealand in New Zealand.
This is the first time in five years that South Africa has surged to the top of the ODI team table, an announcement of the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.
The ICC said: “South Africa had entered the three-match ODI series trailing Australia by one ratings point. It moved to the top of the table following its 72 runs victory in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui on Friday, 24 October. And though the third and final ODI of the series in Hamilton on Monday was washed-out, the results in Mount Maunganui were enough to ensure the Proteas finish the series on top of the tree.”
This is the first time in five years that South Africa has surged to the top of the ODI team table. It last enjoyed the number-one position in September 2009, before losing the status to Australia following its first round elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2009, ICC said.
Meanwhile, in the Reliance ICC ODI Player Rankings, South Africa batsmen AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla occupy the top two positions in the batting table following their sides’ 2-0 series victory in New Zealand.
On the Reliance ICC Players Rankings for ODI Bowlers, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal has retained his top position with 770 points, followed by 753 points of Sunil Narine (West Indies) and 751 of Dale Steyn (SA).
Mohammad Hafeez topped the slot of all-rounder players’ ranking with 411 points, followed by Angelo Mathews and Shakib Al Hasan