Race for number one 26 Mar 2007 By: Zac Gelman

The race is on for the ICC ODI number one ranking with Australia and South Africa battling it out for the US$175,000 prize money.

The side that finishes on top of the rankings by April 1st, will collect the prize money and currently Australia and South Africa are neck and neck.

South Africa overtook Australia for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2002 after Australia's disastrous Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand and South Africa's continued success in the shorter form of the game.

However after Australia's dominating victory over the Proteas during their blockbuster Group A match, they now have the opportunity to regain the coveted top ranking before the deadline, should they beat the West Indies and Bangladesh in their Super 8 matches, together with South Africa losing to a firing Sri Lankan outfit.

Currently both sides are on 126 points, however South Africa are ahead on decimal places. If Australia beat the West Indies and Bangladesh and South Africa defeat Sri Lanka, both sides will go to 127 points and South Africa will still remain ahead on decimal places, retaining the number one ranking and winning the prize money.

ICC ODI Championship Table

1 South Africa 126
2 Australia 126
3 New Zealand 114
4 Pakistan 110
5 Sri Lanka 109
6 India 106
7 England 105
8 West Indies 103
9 Bangladesh 44
10 Zimbabwe 22