ICC has, On Friday, launched its Global Women's T20I Team Rankings which has three-time champions Australia leading the 46-team table, while Indian team is ranked fifth.

The ICC's move to launch the women's T20I rankings follows its decision earlier this year to award international status to all T20 matches between member countries.

All women's T20 matches between members have international status since the Asia Cup in June and the new rankings system will help teams gauge where they stand in the shortest format of the game, said an ICC release.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said, "We are committed to growing the game and T20 is the vehicle through which we'll do this. Global rankings and international status for all T20 games between members is a huge step forward and will contribute to our efforts to accelerate the growth of the women's game. The new rankings will provide an incentive for teams to play regularly and mark their progress globally. I wish teams all the best."

Australia is on 280 points, New Zealand on 277, England on 276, while India is the fifth spot.

The list includes nine sides from Europe, 14 from Asia, 13 from Africa, four each from East Asia Pacific and the Americas, apart from Australia and the West Indies.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur welcomed the move and said, "I'm sure these rankings will encourage more countries to play the game regularly and teams will get a good idea of where they stand in the global context. Players always take interest in the ICC rankings as they are a true reflection of where teams and players stand."

(Inputs: PTI)