Decimal points fight between Indo, Pak and Lanka in ODI rankings

Dubai, Oct 14 (UNI) A tough battle is in the offing between three sub-continent cricketing giants, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India in the LG ICC ODI Championship table as mere decimal points seperates them from each other.

Though both the three nations have 108 rating points in their kitty, the Lankan Lions is ahead in the race, placed fourth while Pakistan and India are postioned at fifth and sixth place respectively.

Interestingly, the trio is separated only when the ratings are calculated to three decimal places.

However, there is plenty of scope for the situation to change over the coming days and weeks as the 'Men In Blue' are in the midst of the seven-match ODI series against table-toppers Australia, while Pakistan is about to go head-to-head with South Africa in a five-match series from Thursday.

Meanwhile, Collingwood's men 3-2 series victory against Sri Lanka was not enough to secure them any big leap in the ratings.

Inspite of two back-to-back home series win -- first against India and now against the Lankans -- they hold on to their seventh spot.

However, a victory in the recently-played final ODI against Sri Lanka would have secured them fourth spot in Championship table, which would also have been England's highest placing since January 2005.

In the top of the table there were no major surprises as World Champions Australia contiues to lead with a comfortable six-point advantage over second-placed South Africa who have 124 rating points under their belt, while New Zealand occupies the third position with 114 points.

The bottom half of the table have been occupied by West Indies (eighth postion), Bangladesh (ninth), Ireland (tenth), Zimbabwe (11th) and Kenya (12th).

LG ICC ODI Championship standings: Australia (130), South Africa (124), New Zealand (114), Sri Lanka (108), Pakistan (108), India (108), England (107), West Indies (102), Bangladesh (48), Ireland (28), Zimbabwe (17), Kenya (0).

UNI