da 888： South Africa have ended the ICC year, which runs from April to March, as the leading one-day country in world cricket, edging Australia into second place by the narrowest of margins
Cricinfo staff01-Apr-2007South Africa have ended the ICC year, which runs from April to March, as the leading one-day country in world cricket, edging Australia into second place by the narrowest of margins.The South Africans will receive $175,000 from the ICC for pipping the Australians. However, Australia get $75,000 for finishing second, and they have also retained their place as the top Test nation.South Africa overtook Australia thanks to an outstanding late surge, winning 15 out of 21 ODIs ahead of the World Cup as well as three out four in the Caribbean. Australia, by contrast, lost five on the bounce in their lead-in to the tournament.It was the first time any side has overtaken Australia in the ICC’s ODI Championship table since the listings began in October 2002.”I’m delighted that we are top of the ODI Championship and I think it is a just reward for all the hard work and dedication the guys have shown over the past 18 months or so,” said South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith. “That said, although this is very pleasing for us it will not detract us from the immediate job at hand. We are completely focused on the World Cup and we want to do the very best that we can while we are here in the Caribbean.”But with the table so tight at the top, Australia can get back on top if they continue to perform as they have done so far. If both Australia and South Africa win their remaining Super Eights games, then South Africa will progress to the semi-finals as the No. 1 ranked ODI team. But if they falter along the way, even once, and Australia remain unbeaten, then Australia will make a rapid return to top spot by the semi-finals.Australia retain their top spot in the Test ratings thanks to seven wins in seven matches over the last year.
Official Team Rankings
LG ICC Test and ODI Championships
March 31, 2007
da dobrowin：
Australia 43 5807 135 England47 5344 114 Pakistan 384092 108 India 38 4056107 Sri Lanka 36 3686 102 South Africa 42 4274 102 New Zealand28 2602 93 West Indies 332378 72 Zimbabwe 15 41528 Bangladesh 22 48 2
LG ICC ODI Championship
March 31, 2007
South Africa 384829 127 Australia 49 6221127 New Zealand 40 4605 115 Pakistan 36 3950 110 Sri Lanka47 5084 108 India 505320 106 England 38 3984105 West Indies 43 4370 102 Bangladesh 38 1654 44 Zimbabwe36 779 22 Kenya 110 0