Team India retains its numero uno spot in ICC ODI rankings with 119 rating points, according to an ICC media release.
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| MS Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher |
Since India and Australia are not scheduled to play the limited overs format until April 1, 2013 South Africa placed at No 4 in the ICC ODI team rankings is the only team that can try to push India and England down the order as they are scheduled to play a five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting from March 10, 2013.
After registering a 2-1 series win against New Zealand in the recently concluded ODI series, the team has not only given themselves a very good chance to play the Champions Trophy, which is just 100 days away and though they have dropped two rating points, England have finished second in the ODI championship table with the cut off date beingn April 1, 2013.
The only criteria for South Africa to overcome England is by registering a 4-1 series win against Pakistan in the five-match ODI series starting next month, which will help South Africa reach 117 points on par with England but will be rated above them due to ratings calculated beyond the decimal point.
Following the Test whitewash, if South Africa aim for a clean sweep, they can push India to the second spot, claiming three rating points.
ICC ODI Team Rankings
India 119
England 117
Australia 116
South Africa 112
Sri Lanka 110
Pakistan 107
West Indies 85
New Zealand 82
Bangladesh 78
Zimbabwe 49
Ireland 35
Netherlands 16
Kenya 11
