Cyclone 'hudhud' costs India No.1 spot in ICC rankings

DUBAI: The cancellation of their third ODI against the West Indies in Visakhapatnam due to cyclone 'hudhud' has cost India a chance to regain the number one spot even as Australia grabbed the numero uno position in the ICC rankings issued today. "Australia has surged to the top of the Reliance ICC One-Day International (ODI) Team Rankings after completing a 3-0 series victory over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," the ICC said in a statement.

Yesterday's dramatic one-run victory in Abu Dhabi and the cancellation of the third ODI between India and the West has ensured top billing for George Bailey's side as the race to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 heats up among some of the top-ranked sides. The cancellation of tomorrow's ODI between India and the West Indies in Visakhapatnam means India cannot leapfrog Australia even if they win the remaining two matches in Dharamshala and Kolkata on October 17 and 20 respectively.

In that, scenario, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side will fall 0.02 ratings points short of Australia, which is now sitting on 114 ratings points. It has taken Australia five ODIs to regain the number-one ranking after they had dropped from the top pedestal in Harare on August 31 following a three wickets defeat against Zimbabwe.

Australia have won four of the last five ODIs with its only loss coming against South Africa in the triangular series final in Harare on 6 September. In the ICC Players Rankings for ODI Bowlers, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has moved up two places to fifth following figures of three for 24 runs and three for 40 in the opening two ODI's.

Pakistan's Mohammad Irfan has vaulted five places to 27th position after claiming three wickets in the series, while Shahid Afridi has also climbed six places after a consistent display and the leg-spinner is level with Australia's Xavier Doherty ? who drops two places - in 35th position. In the batting Rankings, Australia's hard-hitting opener David Warner has risen three places to 40th after scores of 43, 29 and 56. PM PM