South Africa reclaim number one spot in ICC ODI rankings post New Zealand series win

South Africa has reclaimed the number-one spot in the ICC ODI Team Rankings, after winning the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

The Proteas had entered the series, trailing Australia by one point, and moved to the top, following their 72-run victory in the second ODI, in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

Though the third ODI in Hamilton was washed-out, the result in Mount Maunganui was enough to ensure that South Africa finished as the top ranked ODI side.

This is the first time in five years that South Africa has surged to the top of the ODI rankings.The team last enjoyed the number-one position in September 2009, before losing the status to Australia, following its first round elimination from the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.

Following the series win, South African batsmen, A.B. de Villiers and Hashim Amla, have occupied the top two positions in the ICC ODI Player Rankings. De Villiers has retained top spot, while teammate Amla has closed the gap to 28 rating points.

India's Virat Kohli, who has slipped to third, following Amla's rise, would have a chance to move up the order, when his side faces Sri Lanka in an ODI series, which starts on November 2. Only two ratings points separate the second and third ranked batsmen.