Hamilton - South Africa has reclaimed the number-one ranking on the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) One-Day International Team Rankings following the conclusion of its series against hosts New Zealand, the ICC announced in a statement.
The Proteas had entered the three-match ODI series trailing Australia by one ratings point. The team moved to the top of the table following its 72 runs victory in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Although 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.
South Africa last enjoyed the number-one position in September 2009, before losing the status to Australia following their first-round elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2009.
Meanwhile, in the ICC ODI Player Rankings, South Africa batsmen AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla occupy the top two positions in the batting table following their side’s 2-0 series victory in New Zealand.
De Villiers retained the top spot in the ICC ODI Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen but his team-mate Amla, with scores of 38 and 119, closed the gap to 28 ratings points as preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 gather pace.
However, India’s Virat Kohli, who has slipped to third following Amla’s movement, will have a chance to move up the order when he takes to the field against Sri Lanka in the series, which starts on November 2.
Only two ratings points separate the second and third ranked batsmen. On the ICC Players Rankings for ODI Bowlers, South African paceman Dale Steyn retained his third place after figures of one wicket for 28 runs and two for 35 runs, respectively.
Ryan McLaren dropped three places to 12th position, although Morne Morkel moved up two places to 15th after a series which saw him claim three wickets. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s consistent performances have seen him climb four places to a career-high 22nd place.
Another significant riser is Vernon Philander, who rises 15 places to 78th position.
Sapa