For the first time in almost three years Australia is no longer officially cricket's number one-ranked one-day nation.
After the International Cricket Council's annual update of its limited overs rankings, Australia has dropped to fourth on the ladder - its lowest ranking since the ODI table was launched in 2002.
Making the news worse for Aussie fans, rivals England are the new top-ranked team, just ahead of second-placed South Africa with world champions India in third spot.
Australia's decline comes after their outstanding record of 30 wins from 40 ODIs in 2009-10 dropped out of consideration for rankings points.
The ICC updates the rankings each year and the new tables only include results from matches played from August 2010 onwards.
It is the first time England has topped the ODI championship table with Australia nine points adrift of their rivals.
On the Twenty20 rankings, South Africa has taken over from England at number one with Australia plummeting from sixth to ninth - below New Zealand and even minnows Bangladesh.
England could regain the number one Twenty20 spot when they take on the Proteas in a three-match series starting on September 8.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted August 09, 2012 13:37:09
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