South Africa may end Australia's reign

Dubai:

South Africa have an opportunity to dethrone Australia and secure the top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One-Day (ODI) Championship Table if they sweep the three-match series against Bangladesh, starting in Chittagong Sunday.

Ricky Ponting's side, though, is certain to finish on top of ICC Test Championship table while England can push India down to third place.

Australia and South Africa have both 127 ratings points but Graeme Smith's side is behind by just 0.529 of a point when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

If the Proteas whitewash Bangladesh 3-0, they will stay on 127 ratings points but will finish ahead of Australia by 0.191 at the cut-off. The sides that lead the Test and ODI ladders April 1 will pocket $175,000 each, while the sides that lie second collect $75,000 each.

Last year, South Africa snatched the title just before the cut-off date, relegating Australia to second, and no doubt Smith and his men will be looking to repeat the feat.

If Bangladesh manages to win just one game, Australia will retain its top position opening up a two-point gap with South Africa dropping to 125 ratings points.

In Tests, Australia is sure of finishing on top of the Championship Table as they lead the field by 30 ratings points.

India are currently placed second and can only slip to third place if England make a clean sweep of its three-Test series against New Zealand.

Although Sri Lanka will have completed their first Test against the West Indies (starting March 22 in Guyana) and India will have played their first Test against South Africa (starting March 26 in Chennai) before the cut-off date, the ICC Test Championship table is only updated after the conclusion of a series.

ICC ODI Championship

Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 127
2 South Africa 127
3 New Zealand 113
4 India 113
5 Pakistan 109
6 Sri Lanka 107
7 England 105
8 West Indies 96
9 Bangladesh 47
10 Ireland 28
11 Zimbabwe 18
12 Kenya 0

ICC Test Championship

Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 141
2 India 111
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 South Africa 109
5 England 107
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 93
8 West Indies 73
9 Bangladesh 1.

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