Prior to today’s match between New Zealand and Australia in Adelaide, only the Black Caps could have possibly overtaken the Proteas on the table before 1 April. But defeat means even if Daniel Vettori’s men were to win the remaining ODI in this series and then beat India 5-0 next month, they would still fall short of South Africa’s current rating of 125.
On the current schedule of ODIs, no other side can match South Africa and with the Proteas themselves not playing any ODIs before 1 April, they will not be budging from the rating they enjoy today.
Each year, the side that leads the listing on 1 April becomes US$175,000 richer while the runner-up collects US$75,000. The Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship shield will be presented to Cricket South Africa at a ceremony in late March. The details of that presentation will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, Australia has consolidated its position in second place on the ladder following its six-wicket victory in Adelaide today while New Zealand stays in fourth place, some six ratings points behind India, which is in third spot.
But either New Zealand or India could finish ahead of Australia depending first of all on how the final ODI of the current series turns out in Brisbane and then on the results of the five matches between the two nations which will take place in March. If Australia is victorious in the match on Friday, it will have sewn up the runners-up cheque.
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