Australia back on top of LG ICC ODI Championship by Icc Media Release

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 9th April 2007

 

Australia is back on top of the LG ICC ODI Championship after a brief period occupying second spot.

 

Ricky Ponting’s side today had a comfortable victory over England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and with Bangladesh’s win over South Africa on Saturday it means that the Proteas return to second and Australia can once again call itself the number-one team in the world.

 

Prior to the weekend’s action, Graeme Smith’s team was on top of the table by a fraction of a ratings point but following its defeat at the hands of Habibul Bashar’s men, it has dropped two points to 125.

 

Meanwhile, with Australia chasing down the target of 248 runs to win, set by England, with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare, it is it that regains top spot with 128 points to its name.

 

When South Africa went top of the ODI Championship last month, it had been the first time a side had overtaken Australia since the listings began in October 2002. And South Africa had timed its run to perfection as it managed to pass the cut-off date of 1 April in front thus winning the US$175,000 prize for being there. Australia was awarded US$75,000 for being runners-up.

 

But Australia has dominated this ICC Cricket World Cup so far, boasting a 100 per cent record to date with three games remaining for the team in the Super Eight stage.

 

A good finish to the Super Eight for the Proteas will keep the pressure on the Australians and if Ponting’s team slips up, it could be South Africa that goes into the semi-finals as the number-one ranked team in the world. Top spot could change hands several times before the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup on 28 April.

 

Meanwhile, towards the other end of the ladder England’s defeat means it retains its place at seventh in the ODI Championship, just two points ahead of the West Indies and three behind India . If results go the way of the West Indies, however, it could overtake Michael Vaughan’s team before the end of the Super Eight stage.

 

LG ICC ODI Championship (after Australia beat England in Antigua on 8 April)

 

Rank Team Points

 

1 Australia 128

 

2 South Africa 125

 

3 New Zealand 115

 

4 Sri Lanka 110

 

5 Pakistan 110

 

6 India 106

 

7 England 103

 

8 West Indies 101

 

9 Bangladesh 46

 

10 Zimbabwe 22

 

11 Kenya 0