Published: Oct 20, 2014, 04:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 20, 2014, 04:10 PM (IST)
New Delhi: Oct 20, 2014
South Africa have a chance to reclaim top spot in the Reliance International Cricket Council (ICC) One-day International (ODI) team Rankings when it will face New Zealand in first of the three One-Day Internationals ( ODIs), which starts on Wednesday in Mount Maunganui.
South Africa currently sharing the second position with India on 113 ratings point, but is ranked behind the reigning world champion by a fraction of the point. The two sides are just one ratings point behind Australia, and a 3-0 series will put South Africa ahead of the four-time world champion by one ratings point.
If South Africa manages to win all the three matches against New Zealand, then it will reclaim the number-one position for the first time in five years after handing over the baton to Australia following its first-round elimination from ICC Champions Trophy 2009.
On the other side of the coin, if New Zealand wins the series, then it will leapfrog Pakistan into sixth position. Currently, both Pakistan and New Zealand are on equal points on 98 ratings points but the Black Caps are in seventh position when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
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