Aussie Slipped to 3rd Spot in ODI, SA on Top

Johannesburg: Australia slipped two places to third on the ICC ODI rankings after losing by four wickets to England on Sunday in the final match of a series they won 6-1 ahead of the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

As a result, Australia's brief return to the top of the ICC ODI Championship table is ended as it falls to third position while South Africa regains the number-one position.

India moves up from third position to second but with just two ratings points separating those three sides, we could be set for some more chopping and changing over the next weeks as the top eight-ranked sides in the world do battle for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

For its part, England moves back ahead of New Zealand into sixth place in the team rankings.

A reasonable performance in the ICC Champions Trophy could see Andrew Strauss's make it up as high as fourth place as it is now just four ratings points behind Pakistan in that position.

ODI rankings:

1. South Africa: 127
2. India: 126
3. Australia: 125
4. Pakistan: 109
5. Sri Lanka: 108
6. England: 105
7. New Zealand: 105
8. West Indies: 78
9. Bangladesh: 55
10. Zimbabwe: 26
11. Ireland: 25

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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