Sri Lanka stand to topple Australia from ODI top-spot

Sri Lanka crushed Australia in the two T20s played at home recently. Th team under Tilllakaratne Dishan, now stands to claim the Number One spot in the ODI rankings albeit a 4-1 series win against Australia.

The visitors have not been able to show their top-game in the tour opening T20 matches but sit 12 rating points clear of Sri Lanka in the ODI rankings, a position maintained since September 2009. All that could change in Sri Lanka's favour if the team carries its T20 form to the 5-match ODI series beginning from Wednesday.

Sri Lanka has been playing as a collective unit and has had sparks of individual brilliance stun the opposition into submission. With a rating point of 125 and the second position on the rankings table, the team will be looking to make the home advantage count to the fullest. A series whitewash will put the team eight points clear of Australia.

Conversely, an Australia whitewash can help Micheal Clarke's side further consolidate its position at the top while Sri Lanka face the threat of slipping behind South Africa to take the third spot.

Going by current form of individual players, Sri Lanka are being eyed as favourites by cricket experts. While the batting is being bolstered by the form of Mahela Jayawardena and Dilshan, Mendis' six-wicket haul in the second T20 on Monday, will make him a force to reckon with.