Rediff

Dubai, Mar 14: South Africa swapped places with Australia and ensured that it will hold the top spot in the LG ICC ODI Championship table at the April 1 cut-off after convincingly wrapping up the series 3-0 against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday.

South Africa gained 0.720 points from the series victory and although it stayed on 127 ratings points along with Australia, this fraction of a point was enough to put it ahead of Ricky Ponting's side by 0.191 of a point.

Both the teams were on 127 ratings points before the start of the series but Australia had its nose ahead by 0.529 of a point.

South Africa's achievement is significant because the side that leads the ODI Championship ladder on 1 April, receives US $175,000 for its achievement, while the side that lies second collects US $75,000.

Last year, South Africa also snatched the title just before the 1 April cut-off date, relegating Australia to second.

In the LG ICC Test Championship table, India is sure of finishing runner-up to Australia after England blew its chance of leapfrogging Anil Kumble's side after losing the first Test to New Zealand in Hamilton.

The best result England can now achieve is a 2-1 victory which will keep it on fifth place. The only way England could have gone into second place was by winning the series 3-0.

While Australia will retain the mace and also collect the cheque for US $175,000, India will earn US $75,000 for finishing second in the LG ICC Test Championship Table at the cut-off date.

More information on the rankings at: http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/rankings/lg.html