Kingston (Jamaica), April 2 (IANS) South Africa has won the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) one-day championship title, pipping Australia by just 0.1199 rating points.
The Proteas, who overtook Australia in the one-day rankings for the first time since 2002, defeated Sri Lanka by one wicket in an exciting Group Eight encounter of the World Cup Wednesday, remaining at the top spot in the ratings by the cut off date of April 1. It bagged $175,000 for the feat.
As South Africa takes the one-day championship prize, Australia can take consolation on two fronts — as runner-up it will receive $75,000, more important, it has also topped the Test Championship and so will receive a further $175,000.
In the one-day championship race, both sides finished at 127 points. But a difference of 0.1199 separated them on further calculation.
“I’m delighted that we are top of the ODI Championship and I think it is a just reward for all the hard work and dedication the guys have shown over the past 18 months or so,” said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.
“Although this is very pleasing for us it will not detract us from the immediate job at hand. We are completely focused on the World Cup and we want to do the very best that we can while we are here in the Caribbean,” he said.
It marks the end of a great 12 months of one-day cricket for South Africa following an outstanding run of results over the past year, which saw the Proteas win 15 of its 21 one-dayers ahead of the World Cup.
But with the one-day table so tight at the top, Australian can still get back on top if it continues to perform as it has done so far in the World Cup.
If both Australia and South Africa win their remaining Super Eight games, the Proteas will progress to the semi-finals as the No.1 one-day team.
But if it falters along the way, even once, and Australia remains unbeaten, then Ricky Ponting’s men will make a rapid return to the top spot by the time the tournament is reduced down to four teams.
ODI Championship:
1. South Africa 127 rating points
2. Australia 127
3. New Zealand 115
4. Pakistan 110
5. Sri Lanka 108
6. India 106
7. England 105
8. West Indies 102
9. Bangladesh 44
10. Zimbabwe 22
Test Championship:
1. Australia 135 rating points
2. England 114
3. Pakistan 108
4. India 107
5. Sri Lanka 102
6. South Africa 102
7. New Zealand 93
8. West Indies 72
9. Zimbabwe 28
10. Bangladesh 2
Indo-Asian News Service
