This is the first time in five years that South Africa has surged to the top of the ODI team table.

 

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. 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.

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.

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. However, India’s Virat Kohli, who has slipped to third following Amla.

Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings (as on 28 October, after New Zealand-South Africa series)

                     Teams                                Points

1.                       South Africa                                 115

2.                       Australia                                       114

3.                       India                                             113

4.                       Sri Lanka                                      111

5.                       England                                        107

6.                       Pakistan                                         98

7.                       New Zealand                                  96

8.                       West Indies                                    96

9.                       Bangladesh                                    69

10.                     Zimbabwe                                       58

11.                     Afghanistan                                     42

12.                     Ireland                                           33