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England has moved up a place while South Africa has dropped a position in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table at the end of their series on Friday.
England’s 2-1 series win with washed out matches in Johannesburg and Durban, has earned it three ratings points which has helped it go ahead of Pakistan in fifth position while the series loss has pushed South Africa behind India into third spot.
World champion Australia continues to enjoy a comfortable eight-point advantage over second-placed India but the middle of the table is quite congested with only 13 ratings points separating third-placed South Africa with seventh-placed Sri Lanka.
And with India to go head to head with Sri Lanka in the five-ODI series in Rajkot from 15 December, there could be more reshuffle depending how the series pans out.
A 5-0 clean sweep will take India to 126 ratings points, four behind Australia, while Sri Lanka’s 5-0 series win will put both the sides on 115 ratings points. Sri Lanka’s 3-2 series win will lift it to 110 ratings points and will drop India to 119 ratings points but ahead of South Africa.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, South Africa’s AB de Villiers and Paul Collingwood of England have achieved career-best rankings to date.
De Villiers, who scored 145 runs in the three ODIs, has climbed two places to third position while Collingwood, who won the player of the series award for his 193 runs, has rocketed six places to 12th position in the latest rankings which were released on Friday.
However, the news is not so good for South Africa captain Graeme Smith and former England captain Kevin Pietersen. Smith, after scoring just 68 runs in the series, has dropped five places to eighth spot while Pietersen has fallen four places and out of the top 20 in 21st position after managing just 52 runs.
The batting list is still headed by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while Mike Hussey of Australia is in second position.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, England fast bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson have stormed up the order.
Broad, who took six wickets in two matches, has leaped eight places to seventh position while Anderson, who was the most successful bowler of the series with eight wickets, has rocketed 13 places to share ninth spot with Dale Steyn of South Africa who has slipped two places.
South Africa off-spinner Johan Botha has returned to the top 10 after climbing three places to 10th position.
The bowlers’ list is still headed by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori with Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan in second spot and Ray Price of Zimbabwe in third place.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, Collingwood has climbed three places and now sits just outside the top five in seventh position.
Shakib Al Hasan leads the field with Shane Watson of Australia second, India’s Yuvraj Singh third and a three-way tie for fourth spot between Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and New Zealand’s Jacob Oram.

Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 130
2 India 122
3 South Africa 119
4 New Zealand 112
5 England 109
6 Pakistan 108
7 Sri Lanka 106
8 West Indies 76
9 Bangladesh 55
10 Zimbabwe 26
11 Ireland 25
12 Kenya 2

Incongruously, India have risen to the top in a format some would accuse them of neglecting – and their low frequency of Tests could cause them to lose their crown sooner rather than later. They are only the third team, after Australia and South Africa, to reach the summit of the ICC’s Test rankings since they were introduced in 2001 but their time there could be brief because of a schedule that contains only two Tests in the next 11 months.
Which means the duration of their reign will be determined by how their closest rivals, South Africa and Australia, fare in the next few months. “It is a bit of a concern, as we play only two Test matches in the next six months, so it will be tough for us to maintain the position,” MS Dhoni said after India’s victory in Mumbai. “I can’t do anything about the schedule. It is good to play Test cricket, at the same time we are here to play whatever cricket we are asked to play.”
Before their 2-0 victory, India were ranked third with 119 points after Sri Lanka and chart-toppers South Africa (122). The two consecutive innings victories in Kanpur and Mumbai earned India five points, taking them two clear of South Africa, while Sri Lanka slipped below Australia to fourth place.
During the period in which India have only two Tests – against Bangladesh – to maintain a hold on their No. 1 position, South Africa play at least four and Australia eight. A 2-0 win against Bangladesh isn’t likely to give India too many ratings points either, so they could be overtaken depending on how South Africa do against England, and how Australia go against West Indies and Pakistan at home, and in the away series in New Zealand and against Pakistan in England.
What is certain is that India will end 2009 as the No. 1 Test side because even a 3-0 victory for Australia in the ongoing series against eighth-ranked West Indies will give them only one point, taking their tally to 117, and no improvement in position.
India’s immediate threat is South Africa, but they will have to beat England by a 2-0 margin or better to reclaim the No. 1 spot. A 2-0 or 3-1 victory for South Africa will take them marginally ahead of India, 3-0 will given them 126 points, and 4-0 will extend their lead over India by three. However, if England win 1-0 or 2-1, South Africa’s tally will reduce to 117, increasing India’s lead by seven points.
If South Africa fail to recapture the top spot against England, India’s reign will receive an extension because even if Australia blank Pakistan 3-0 at home, following a 3-0 win against West Indies, their ratings points will increase only by three to 119. They will then need to win in New Zealand and beat Pakistan in England – an away series for Australia – to move up the ladder.

Sachin Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman struck half centuries as India continued to torment Sri Lanka in the third and final test on Friday after Virender Sehwag fell seven runs short of a record-breaking third triple century.

Sehwag resumed on his overnight score of 284 but was caught and bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan for 293, before Tendulkar (53) and Laxman (62) helped India carve out a commanding first innings lead of 236 by tea on the third day.

Sri Lanka struck back by claiming four wickets after lunch before skipper Mahendra Dhoni (21) and Zaheer Khan (3) guided India to 629 for seven in their pursuit of a victory that would secure their spot at the top of the test rankings.
Starting the day on 443-1 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings 393, India lost Sehwag in the fourth over, much to the disappointment of an expectant and packed Brabourne Stadium.

Left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedara struck in his first over of the day when he had overnight batsman Rahul Dravid caught behind for 74 to briefly raise Sri Lankan hopes of a revival.
However, Laxman, who hit eight fours, and Tendulkar shared in a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket to pile on the agony before Nuwan Kulasekara broke the stand after lunch when Tendulkar played on to the stumps.

Muralitharan, playing in his last overseas test, had Laxman caught at mid-on before Rangana Herath forced a chancy Yuvraj Singh to be caught at mid off for 23.
Muralitharan then bowled Harbhajan Singh, who bottom edged a reserve sweep onto the stumps, for one before Dhoni and Zaheer guided the hosts to the break.

Sehwag, only the third batsman to score two triple centuries after Australia’s Don Bradman and West Indian Brian Lara, had shared in double century stands with opener Murali Vijay (87) and Dravid on the second day to put India in command.
India hold a 1-0 after they won the second test by an innings and 144 runs. The first test ended in a draw.

India’s powerful batting line-up has often had to compensate for errant bowling and slack fielding in the past but the tables were turned in Mohali. MS Dhoni praised his bowlers for restricting Australia to 250; he said the fielding effort was India’s best in the last one-and-a-half years; but he criticised the batsmen for a lack of partnerships which ultimately led to a 24-run defeat in the fourth ODI.

“It was a good effort by the bowlers to restrict them to a total like 250,” Dhoni said. “We got a decent start to our chase also. But subsequently, we failed as a batting unit. We should have batted the full 50 overs but that was not possible because we kept losing wickets at regular intervals.”

Dhoni defended his decision to field, saying the dew factor would have made it difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball under lights. “Dew is a big factor that always plays on your mind. From overs 15-40, generally the spinners do the job for us. That would have been taking a risk. Of course, it can backfire as well, so it’s difficult to choose. But we knew in Mohali, the wicket would not break much and ball would come nicely onto the bat with a bit of dew. I think our bowlers did a great job and 251 is something we should have scored.”

India’s chase had a terrific start with Virender Sehwag caning Mitchell Johnson for 30 runs off 14 balls. Australia began to fight back after Sehwag fell but India were on course while Sachin Tendulkar was batting. However, his dismissal for 40 – the highest score of the innings – was the beginning of the end as wickets fell frequently thereafter.

“We badly needed some partnerships going,” Dhoni said. “We got the start but we could not take advantage of that. If at least one batsman got going, it would have made things easy.”

Dhoni also said the younger batsmen like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli would need to learn how to overhaul a difficult target. “Raina today got out to a beautiful delivery, while Jadeja was run out after a mix-up,” Dhoni said. “Batting at No. 6 or 7 is not easy, since you don’t get much opportunity to bat. You cannot pace your innings either, for you have to play according to the platform given to you. Sometimes, you have to accelerate or keep a partnership going. They are still inexperienced and I hope they learn from their mistakes.”

On the decision to send Kohli at No. 3, Dhoni said: “The best way to give someone an opportunity is to let him bat higher. At No. 6 or 7, you score 20-30 in quick time or can get out for 10-12 also. I think it’s important to give them a chance. Virat is a talented batsman, good on the field and brings in lot of energy.”

India’s defeat in Mohali prevented them from taking Australia’s No. 1 ranking in ODIs and the gap between the teams is now three points. The next match is in Hyderabad on November 5.

ICC TEST TEAM RANKING

ICC ODI TEAM RANKING

Whether you agree or not, I firmly believe that cricket is still a gentlemans game. And even though I am not averse to change, I do feel the best way for the game to be played at the highest level is when it is played country versus country, and not club against club.
Ever since international cricket started way back in the 19th century, international games have always been followed more. Just look at the following that the Ashes or an India-Pakistan or an Australia-New Zealand series generates across the globe. The closely fought series recently between India-Australia and Australia-South Africa have also proven that these series are as much followed across the globe as the other rubbers that I mentioned earlier. Even nationals of those respective nations based in countries where cricket is hardly played closely monitor scores of their home teams ties. And believe it or not, I have always experienced that especially when it comes to non-cricketing regions (untapped markets , for those who refer to the game as business), people are more interested in Test cricket than one-dayers . Just to cite an example, go to any cricket academy or a gully cricket match anywhere in the globe and youll see people betting on the outcome of the Ashes, and not the T20 Champions League. So, those who fear Test cricket is nearing its death should keep their eyes and ears open instead of mouth.
And you dont need an expert to tell you that Test matches can NEVER be played between two clubs. Sometimes I just dont understand the purpose behind promoting so much club (franchisees) cricket for that matter. Twenty20 is a welcome change but its overdose, especially in the club format, can always prove to be futile for its shelf life.
Those who have been promoting the shortest format have been talking so much about things like audience span. For them, audience prefers much shorter games so a 20-over-aside just like a game of football will generate more audience interest than a Test match or an ODI.
But let me tell you that golf one of the most popular sports globally is never played three or four hours a day. Just like a Test match, it is played eight hours a day, four days a week. And people call the sport gripping just like a Test match. Every form has its beauty and that of Test cricket is testing cricketers endurance, fitness, skills and consistency . Even among the television viewers, iconic Test series continue to capture the imagination of the cricket fan.

The contentious whereabouts clause of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), which has deterred the Indian players from accepting the WADA code will be one of the high points of discussion at the Board of Control for Cricket in Indias working committee meeting, to be held at its headquarters Cricket Centre here on Thursday.
Eleven Indian cricketers, including two women, have refused to agree to the clause which requires them to furnish their whereabout (one hour each day) for the next three months citing security fears. The BCCI has backed the players saying the players security is important. Apart from this, there are many other crucial decisions to be taken and the issues on the agenda will include the ratification of the induction of ex-Indian Cricket League (ICL) players of India into IPL.
The meeting will also decide on the appointment of a new batting coach for the National Cricket Academy and what brand of balls to be used during matches in India. The deteriorating quality of SG balls has triggered a debate whether India should opt for the Australian Kookaburra balls or not. The status of the domestic Deodhar Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 meet will also be discussed. The working committee will also clear the accounts forwarded by the finance committee which met on Wednesday. 

The Knight Riders team management has begun a hunt for a suitable coach in right earnest. Having sacked former Australian coach John Buchanan, KR is looking for someone who can turn around the fortunes of the team in the third season of the Indian Premier League which will begin on March 12, 2010.
The KR managers have been working overtime for the last one month and have finally shortlisted six coaches three foreigners and three Indians for a formal screening to be held at owner Shah Rukh Khans residence Mannat on August 22.
However, two of the three Indians invited Paras Mhambrey and Praveen Amre have declined the invitation, citing their present commitments .
Other then the two mentioned above, those in the shortlist are: Lalchand Rajput (India), John Wright (New Zealand), Richard Pybus (South Africa) and Duncan Fletcher (England ). TOI had first reported last month that Wright was in the KR scheme of things.
Invites have been sent to these coaches and they have been asked to make formal presentations alongwith a list of their ideas that can help KR emerge a strong contender, informed an official of the franchisee.
Mhambrey, former Mumbai and Bengal coach and currently coach of Baroda, said he did receive an invitation but wasnt sure of being there. I havent given it much thought as I am presently occupied with the Baroda Ranji team, Mhambrey told TOI on Wednesday.
Amre too toed a similar line. Now in Chennai with the Mumbai team for the Buchi Babu tourney, Amre, who is also IPL franchisee Mumbai Indians coach, informed KR that he wont be in Mumbai on August 22.
I have told them that I will not be in Mumbai on that day and hence cant attend the meeting. Besides I am coaching Mumbai Indians so how can I be available, wondered Amre.
Lalchand Rajput, who coached Mumbai Indians in the first edition of the IPL is presently in Scotland, but has given his nod and is expected to be back in time for the presentation.
The three foreigners have also confirmed their participation. Former India coach Wright is already in India and according to sources met SRK at his residence on Wednesday.