Smith, Finch set new career-high ODI rank

Steve Smith, Australia's hero in the 4-1 Carlton Mid ODI Series triumph over South Africa, is the 51st best one-day batsman in the world, according to the latest rankings from the International Cricket Council.

Smith and Aaron Finch, ranked 15, both achieved career-best Reliance ICC One-Day International player rankings after Australia capped the series victory with a two-wicket win in Sydney on Sunday.

While Australia fans may be incredulous to see batsmen such as Zimbabwe's Hamilton Masakadza (No.49) and Ireland duo Kevin O'Brien (38) and Paul Stirling (31) among those ranked above Smith on the International Cricket Council's website, the 43 places he has leapt up through this series gives a clearer indication of his rising stocks.

Smith was omitted for the first match of the five-game Carlton Mid ODI Series, but cemented his spot in Australia's World Cup plans with scores of 10, 73*, 104 and 67 to be named man of the series with an average of 84.67.

He also scored 101, 12 and 77 in Australia's 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in the UAE in October which saw him rise to 94 in the world. Smith was recalled to Australia's ODI set-up during the winter tri-series in Zimbabwe where he began the series as the 142nd best in the world. Prior to that series he had played two ODIs in the past two years, both times as an injury fill-in.

Finch started the series ranked No.43 but big scores including 109 in Canberra and 76 in Sydney have seen him surge 28 places to No.15 after compiling 250 runs at an average of 50.

George Bailey remains Australia’s highest-ranked one-day batsman in sixth spot while Proteas skipper AB de Villiers is still ranked No.1

James Faulkner moved up four places to No.40, having played in the final two games of the series, but Glenn Maxwell fell 10 spots during the series after scores of 29, 0, 2 and 7.

Maxwell’s 38 runs at an average of 9.5 saw him drop to No.34.

Sunday's two-wicket in against South Africa saw Australia reclaim the world No.1 ODI team ranking. Australia started the series against South Africa in third position with 114 ratings points and finished the series on equal points with reigning ICC Cricket World Cup champion India on 117 points.

When ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, Australia is 0.2 points clear of India. South Africa dropped to third spot.

Australia and India will face off in at least two ODIs in January during the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri Series ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup which begins on February 14.

That series also features England, while South Africa heads home after Sunday's match in Sydney and will play five ODIs against West Indies in January.