Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson (Image Credits- Twitter)

New Zealand has dropped to second place in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings following consecutive losses to Australia, in the three-match ODI series. In the process, England has climbed to the top and occupies the apex position with a rating of 119, while the Kiwis have 117. Tailing them are India, Pakistan, Australia and South Africa with 111, 107, 104 and 101 rating points respectively.

The Three Lions reclaimed the top spot having lost it to New Zealand in May 2021. The Blackcaps, though, can tie England at 119 ratings if they manage to win the final ODI in the series but will remain second on the basis of their inferior rating points.

POS TEAM MATCHES POINTS RATING
1 England 27 3,226 119
2  New Zealand 21 2,454 117
3  India 31 3,447 111
4  Pakistan 22 2,354 107
5  Australia 28 2,904 104
6  South Africa 21 2,111 101
7  Bangladesh 30 2,753 92
8  Sri Lanka 29 2,658 92
9  West Indies 41 2,902 71
10  Afghanistan 18 1,238 69

New Zealand squanders its chance to seal the opening ODI

It has been two tough games for the Kane Williamson-led side in the ongoing three-match series. Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the first ODI. Chasing 233, Australia were in a spot of bother at 44/5 before Cameron Green and Alex Carey carried out a rescue act.

Read More  Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians issue an official video statement after SRH gives them their most humiliating defeat of IPL

The sixth-wicket pair added 158 runs, with both the batters making half-centuries. New Zealand did manage to make a comeback in the game with three wickets but cramped-up Green and Adam Zampa took Australia to victory.

Australia vs New Zealand 2nd ODI
Photo Credit: (Twitter / Cricket Australia)

Kiwi batsmen failed to deliver despite a superb bowling effort in the second ODI

In the second ODI, New Zealand produced a brilliant bowling performance to restrict Australia to 195/9. Matt Henry got rid of both openers early on before Trent Boult ripped through Australia with a four-for. The visitors were 117/8 at one point before lower-order contributions from Mitchell Starc, Zampa and Josh Hazlewood took them to a modest total.

New Zealand team. Photo- ICC
New Zealand team. Photo- ICC

In reply, the Black Caps were blown away by Starc and Sean Abbott early on. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell dropped the anchor before Zampa trapped the skipper. The leggie removed the other set batter in his very next over as the Black Caps lost half their side for 38.

There was no real recovery from the lower order and the visitors crumbled to 82 all out, losing by a whopping 113 runs.

Read More  IPL 2024: List of records created by SRH as they break RCB's record of highest IPL total