Top-three aim for BLACKCAPS

The BLACKCAPS can claim a position in the top three of the ICC ODI rankings with a strong performance in the tri-series against Australia and England.

The shared National Bank Series with Sri Lanka helped the New Zealanders keep ahead of the tourists and within touch of third-placed Pakistan, who pipped ahead by fractions of a ranking point.

The player rankings see Daniel Vettori move back into the top five of world ODI bowlers and achieve his highest-ever rating in the LG ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, in 10th.

The BLACKCAPS vice-captain trails English counterpart Andrew Flintoff and Australian Andrew Symonds in the all-rounder charts, but has now been a constant fixture in the top ten of the ODI bowling list for two years.

Tri-series hosts Australia dominate the top of the bowling, batting and team lists ahead of the series.

LG ICC ODI Championship
(As at 10 January)

1 Australia 131
2 South Africa 126
3 Pakistan 112
4 BLACKCAPS 112
5 Sri Lanka 109
6 India 106
7 West Indies 104
8 England 99
9 Bangladesh 41
10 Zimbabwe 23