Australia regain No.1 spot in ICC ODI team rankings after routing South Africa in second ODI

Australia lead the three-match ODI series against South Africa after winning the first two matches.

Australian team regained their number one position in the latest update of ICC team rankings in ODIs thanks to their win over South Africa in the recently played second ODI on September 9, 2023.

Magnificent centuries from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne enabled Australia to post 392/8 in 50 overs. Travis Head and Josh Inglis had hot half-centuries as Proteas bowlers had no answer to the batting on a batting beauty wicket in Bloemfontein. Tabraiz Shamsi picked up four wickets for South Africa.

In response, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller made 49 runs each, and Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma made scores in the 40s as well, but the target proved to be too much for South Africa. Australia bowled out proteas for 269 runs in 41.5 overs and won the match by 123 runs.

Adam Zampa picked 4/48, while debutants Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis picked two wickets each.

Labuschagne, who had initially been overlooked for World Cup squad, proved his worth by scoring an impressive 124 runs off 99 balls. His performance followed his match-winning 80 runs not out in the series opener, earning him the man of the match title for the second time.

Australia back at the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings after briefly losing the spot to Pakistan

The visitors beat South Africa by three wickets on Thursday and can clinch the series if they win the third ODI at the same venue on Tuesday.

In the latest update of the ICC ODI rankings for teams, Australia have regained its top spot after briefly losing it to Pakistan. Australia, with 121 rating points following the win, overtook Pakistan by one point. India, with 114 rating points, is third in the ICC rankings.