By IANS
Sydney : Australia’s loss at the Gabba has trimmed its lead in the LG ICC ODI Championship Table to the bare minimum while India, after clinching the tri-series Tuesday, has gained three rating points and is just a fraction behind New Zealand at number four.
India is now ahead of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies. Sri Lanka, which was the third team in the tri-series, dropped one ratings point to return home on 107 after failing to qualify for the final.
The rankings become important because they will be the basis for the seeding for September’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan with the cut-off date for results being March 12. Australia have been confirmed as top-seeds.
Australia, which entered the series on 130 ratings points, dropped to 127 points, the same as second-placed South Africa but above Graeme Smith’s side when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
If the Proteas sweep the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh beginning on March 9, they will reclaim the top spot they surrendered to Ricky Ponting’s side during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies.
However, if Bangladesh manage to win just one game, Australia will open a two-point gap with South Africa which will drop to 125 ratings points.
With the last game of the series between South Africa and Bangladesh is set to be played March 15 in Mirpur, Australia have been confirmed as the top seeds for ICC Champions Trophy.
India now have a home series against South Africa while Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan and the West Indies.