South Africa top oneday rankings after 4-1 series win over Australia

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SA 2886 bt Aus 249 by 39 runs South Africa displace Australia at top of ICC oneday rankings after win in Perth. More... South Africa top one-day rankings after 4-1 series win over Australia Fifth ODI: South Africa (288-6) beat Australia (249) by 39 runs By Telegraph staff and agencies Last Updated: 1:19PM GMT 30 Jan 2009 South Africa have displaced Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings after securing a 39-run win against the world champions in Perth. The tourists had already wrapped up the five-match series as they headed into today's final game at the WACA Ground, and after also winning the Test series, ensured a memorable tour finished on a high. The tourists' win was set up with the bat as they posted 288 for six, largely thanks to Hashim Amla's 97 at the top of the order, while JP Duminy chipped in with a 42-ball 60. Early wickets then undermined the hosts' run chase, with debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe quickly removing Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting on his way to figures of four for 50. And, while a patient 78 from Mike Hussey and some late hitting from Brad Haddin (63) gave Australia faint hope, the target proved too much as they were eventually bowled out for 249 from 48.5 overs. It was a superb performance from the South Africans, and achieved with one of their most inexperienced line-ups. There was no Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher or Dale Steyn, and the bowling attack comprised two left-arm debutants, Tsotsobe and 19-year-old Wayne Parnell. South Africa have the opportunity to claim the top Test ranking from the Australians as well when the series against them begins in Johannesburg on Feb 26.