Australia back on top in ODI rankings

India will be unable to leapfrog Kangaroos due to cancelled match against Windies

Good news continued to pour in for Australia as after achieving a 3-0 ODI series victory against Pakistan in the UAE, the Kangaroos have regained the top spot of the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings.

If that was not enough, it has emerged that India will be unable to take back the coveted ranking from Australia after their third ODI against West India scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled due to a cyclone in Visakhapatnam, even if the hosts win the remaining two matches in Dharamshala and Kolkata on October 17 and 20 respectively.

Both events have ensured top billing for George Bailey’s side as the race to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 heats up amongst some of the top-ranked sides.

In the ICC Players Rankings for ODI bowlers, Australia fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson jumped two places to fifth following figures of 3-24 and 3-40 in the first two ODIs.

For Pakistan, Muhammad Irfan has climbed five places to 27th after claiming three wickets in the series, while Shahid Afridi moved up six places after a consistent display and the leg-spinner is level with Australia’s Xavier Doherty – who dropped two places – in 35th position.

In the Reliance ICC ODI Player Rankings, Australia’s hard-hitting opener David Warner has risen three places to 40th after scores of 43, 29 and 56.