Aussies hit 34-year low in ODI rankings

MUMBAI: Five-time World Cup winners Australia have sunk to a 34-year low, slipping to the sixth position behind Pakistan, following their defeats to England in the first two ODIs of the five-match series.

Australia, who are trailing 0-2, will need to bring about a drastic turnaround in their fortunes when they take on England on Tuesday in the third game at Nottingham to avoid further embarrassment.

According to cricket.com.au, only a win or rain that washes out the contest would save the defending champions for the next year’s World Cup — as they have never lost four bilateral series on the trot (a minimum of two matches).

The defeat in the first two games have resulted in Australia dropping to 102 rating points, a ‘fraction of a point’ below Pakistan, the report added.

It was in January 1984 when Australia were placed sixth in the world rankings, with veteran Shaun Marsh being the only member of the current squad being born at that time.

Marsh fought hard with a gritty century in the second ODI after England set their record score against Australia, but the visitors succumbed to their 13th defeat in last 15 matches.

Australia’s embattled captain Tim Paine, who has been instated at the helm with no clarity over the team’s future and build-up to the next year’s 50-over summit in England, can only assert that he is confident of a turnaround.