Dubai, April 15 (Inditop) India rose to the second spot in International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings following Australia’s loss to South Africa in the fourth One-dayer at Port Elizabeth.
South Africa beat Australia 4-1 in the away series and have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series at home. Their seven victories in nine ODIs have consigned Ricky Ponting’s side to its lowest ranking since the listings were launched in October 2002.
South Africa lead the table with 127 points while India are on 122 points and Australia on 121.
Remarkably, out of a total of 79 months since October 2002, Australia held the top spot for 69 months, including 52 straight months.
India’s placing is the highest it has achieved in the ODI rankings and complements its third place in the Test rankings.
Australia, which moved to the top of the table after a 141-run victory in the first game of the series in Durban, will regain the No.2 position if they win the final ODI at The Wanderers.
If South Africa win Friday they will finish the series on 128 ratings points while Australia will head off to the United Arab Emirates to face Pakistan in a five-match ODI series in third place on 120 ratings points, trailing India by two.
rounak