Proteas slip in latest ODI rankings

Australia had started the series on 124 points and finished on 123 points, to lead second-ranked New Zealand by 10 points.

However, South Africa’s three loses and one no-result meant they dropped two points to join India on 110 points, but are behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side when the points are calculated beyond the decimal point.

The biggest gainers from the tri-series were the West Indies, who retained their eighth ranking but more importantly gained six points to open up a seven-point advantage over ninth-ranked Pakistan. 

If this is read in the context that England plus seven highest-ranked sides on the 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 June 29 and July 2, which means England have an opportunity to strengthen their fifth position while Sri Lanka have a chance to regain fifth spot.

In the rankings for ODI bowlers, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood of Australia and West Indies captain Jason Holder achieved career-best rankings after impressive performances in the tri-series.

Rabada jumped six places to join seventh-ranked compatriot Dale Steyn after he finished the series with seven wickets, 25-year-old Hazlewood vaulted eight places to 15th after he ended up as the third most successful bowler behind fourth-ranked Imran Tahir (13) and number-one ranked Sunil Narine (12) with 11 wickets, while Holder broke into the top 20 in 20th position after rising four places.

Mitchell Marsh, who was named player of the final for his contribution of 32 runs and figures of three for 32, gained 12 places to break into the top 50 in 50th position for the first time in his career.

After three matches in the series between England and Sri Lanka, the home side’s Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes and David Willey also achieved career-high rankings. Rashid moved up 21 places to 30th, Woakes to 33rd spot after rising 15 places and Willey rocketed 17 places to claim 44th spot.

South Africa’s AB de Villiers continued to lead the rankings for ODI Batsmen, which saw Marsh gain six places to reach 28th. Marsh scored 154 runs in the series, including a 79 not out against the West Indies in a league game at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

West Indies’ Marlon Samuels gained two places to reach 27th, stylish left-hander Darren Bravo earned 10 places to claim 40th spot after scoring 222 runs in the tournament, including 102 against South Africa in a must-win match against South Africa, Farhaan Behardien jumped six places to 49th spot, and Kieron Pollard was in 54th spot after moving up six places.

There was some good news for England batsmen as well. Opener Alex Hales lifted seven places to claim a career-high 24th position, while Jason Roy made a gain of 12 places to a career-high 78th position.

Sri Lanka batsmen making upward movements after three ODIs included Angelo Mathews 20th (up by two places), Dinesh Chandimal 59th (up by 11 places) and Upul Tharanga 98th (up by five places).

In the rankings for ODI all-rounders, Marsh gained three places to reach sixth. The list is headed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

Latest ICC ODI team rankings:

Under ranking, country, 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