The Australian women team has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC women rankings courtesy their series win against India in the recently concluded ODI series.
Australia surrendered the No.1 ranking to England when they lost the T20I leg of the Women’s Ashes 2-1 last November, but a 3-0 result against India has been enough for Meg Lanning’s team to climb one point ahead of England on the table.
Australia had held the No.1 position since the rankings (which take in all three formats) were introduced in 2015 until last October when the annual update installed their Ashes rivals in the top spot. Three comprehensive wins, by margins of eight wickets, 60 runs and 97 runs respectively, turned the narrow margin back in their favor.
Speaking ahead of the ODIs, Australia coach Matthew Mott said the chance to reclaim the coveted title of 'world number one' was an extra incentive for his team.
"It's a huge carrot. We'd be lying if we said anything different,” Mott said.
"We were disappointed we didn't finish off the Ashes and take back that number one spot. We're playing two of the best teams in the world this tour and we see it as a huge opportunity to right some wrongs that happened at the end of the Ashes when we didn't finish England off."
ICC Women's Team Rankings
Australia - 130
England - 129
New Zealand - 122
India - 114
West Indies - 100
South Africa - 93
Pakistan - 73
Sri Lanka - 65
The ODI series now being done and dusted, both teams will now play a 6 match T20I series starting from March 22.
T20I tri-series
First T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 22
Second T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 23
Third T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 25
Fourth T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, March 26
Fifth T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 28
Sixth T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 29
Final Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 31