Australia's 2-1 win in the ODI portion of the Women's Ashes enough to wrest back the ICC No.1 team ranking from England
Australia reclaim No.1 ranking
Not only has the 2-1 ODI series win given Australia a two-point lead in the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes, it has delivered them back to the top of the ICC's Women’s Team Rankings.
Australia lost the No.1 ranking to England following the annual update to the ICC's rankings on October 1, but are now back in top spot having leapfrogged their Ashes rival.
The teams were separated by a mere 0.04 points following the update, with the buffer now 129 points to 127.
With wins in Brisbane and Coffs Harbour, Australia wrapped up the ODI leg of the multi-format Women’s Ashes with a match to spare, along with securing four points in the new cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Having lost the final ODI on Sunday by 20-runs (DLS method), Australia is now turning their attention to the first-ever day-night Ashes Test match.
“It’s a bit of an unknown heading into a day-night Test, how each team is going to play and how it’s going to look,” Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said.
“At the moment, us 2-1 up is a great start and it’s better than us being 2-1 down.
“It livens up the series again being 4-2 and reinforces how crucial this Test match is and everyone’s going to want that four points.
“Personally I’m really excited to be involved in this next period.
“The next two weeks are going to be really exciting and hopefully Australia can get up and get the points.”
ICC Women's Team Rankings
- Australia - 129 points
- England - 127
- New Zealand - 118
- India - 116
- West Indies - 103
- South Africa - 93
- Pakistan - 72
- Sri Lanka - 66
Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes
Australia lead England 4-2
Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.
Schedule
First ODI Australia won by two wickets
Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)
Third ODI England won by 20 runs (DLS method)
Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12
First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17
North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation
Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19
Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21
Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT