South Africa move to third in ODI Rankings

DUBAI: South Africa claimed third position on the ICC ODI Rankings following their 2-1 success over New Zealand in the recently concluded series, while their wrist-spinner Imran Tahir returned to the top three of the ICC Player Rankings for ODI Bowlers.
South Africa had started on 109 points as compared to New Zealand’s 110 points.
However, the 2-1 series win means South Africa have moved to third on 110 points, while New Zealand have dropped to fourth on 109 points.
Imran, who started the series in fifth spot, grabbed the second place due to his five wickets in the series.
While forcing his way up the order, Pakistan-born Imran has pushed his team-mate and former world number-two Dale Steyn into fifth position (down by one spot).
New Zealand’s Adam Milne and David Wiese of South Africa, who finished with Imran Tahir as the joint-leading wicket-takers, made impressive gains. Milne vaulted 30 places to 43rd in the latest rankings, which were released on Thursday, while Wiese entered in 232nd spot.
In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen, top-scorer Tom Latham is the biggest mover. The left-handed opener’s series contribution of 178 runs helped him jump 32 places to 74th.
Latham’s opening partner Martin Guptill achieved a career-best ranking of 14th. The right-handed batsman scored 138 runs, including 103 not out in the second ODI in Potchefstroom, which vaulted him four places.
Guptill is the third New Zealand batsman to feature inside the top 15 after Kane Williamson (fifth) and Ross Taylor (eighth).
South African skipper AB de Villiers retained his number-one position on the table but third-ranked Hashim Amla reduced the gap from 83 points to 45 points following his series contribution of 176 runs as compared to de Villiers’ 104 runs in three matches.
Amla will move into second position when Kumar Sangakkara is removed from the list in the next update.