INDIA STAY FOURTH IN ICC WOMEN’S TEAM RANKINGS
DUBAI: India remained fourth, while England dethroned Australia from the top position in the womens cricket team rankings for the first time following the annual rankings update, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday. India, who reached the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup, have gained three points to reach 116 points and have New Zealand firmly in their sights. In the team rankings, performances in all the three formats are considered. The rankings now take into account 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons at 50 per cent each while the 2016-17 season accounts for 100 per cent. India captain Mithali Raj said: “Gaining these valuable points is no mean achievement and have come after some fine performances over the past year, including at the World Cup. I’m sure this will inspire our team in matches ahead. We are now close to New Zealand in the rankings and will aim to be number three.” England are now level with Australia on 128 points but ahead on decimal points. The Heather Knight-led England, who won the ICC Women’s World Cup earlier this year, have climbed from 125 points to reach 128.47 points, according to the ICC release. Australia are on 128.43 points, slipping from the top spot for the first time since the combined women’s rankings were introduced in October 2015. Since the women’s team rankings, the small gap of 0.04 points between the two sides will lend a lot of interest to England’s tour of Australia, where the top two sides will play one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is from October 22.