Friday, April 15, 2011

Australia and Watson ODI kings

Updated April 15, 2011 07:07:00

Australia remains the top-ranked side in one-day international cricket, despite its early exit from the World Cup.


A quarter-final defeat by subsequent Cup-winner India last month meant Australia failed to follow up its three successive victories in the tournament since 1999.


But it did not stop it staying clear of Test ranking table-topper India - by 128 points to 120 - on the April 1 cut-off date for the yearly award.


Both Australia, by beating Bangladesh in a three-match series, and India - after its Cup final win over Sri Lanka in Mumbai - have since improved their points tallies, but not their overall positions.


Meanwhile Australia's Shane Watson is now the premier one-day international all-rounder, overtaking Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan into number one position after taking three wickets and scoring 294 runs against Bangladesh.


Watson's scores of 37, 185 not out and 72 in the series have also helped the 29-year-old Queenslander vault nine places to a career-best fourth position in the batsman's stakes.


He is now the highest-ranked Australian batsman with Mike Hussey staying in sixth place, captain Michael Clarke rising two places to 11th spot and former captain Ricky Ponting moving one place up to 16th position.


In the ODI bowling rankings, Mitchell Johnson's seven wickets in the Bangladesh series lifted him seven places to sixth position.


Brett Lee is the other Australian bowler who has improved his ranking, returning to the top 20 in 20th position after a jump of three places.


India finished 11 points clear of South Africa at the top of the ICC's Test table.


England, a further two points adrift in third, has prospects of eroding India's lead significantly if it fares well on home soil against it and Sri Lanka.


The inaugural Test championship is expected to take place between the top teams in 2013, with England the most likely venue.


Both India and Australia have won $175,000 as first prize for finishing top of the respective Test and ODI rankings.


-AAP



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