Australia take on Asian giants with it's reign under threat

Dubai, Feb 2 (UNI) Australia will look to save its top postion in the ICC ODI Championship table when it takes on the two Asian giants in the Commonwealth Bank series which gets underway from tomorrow at Brisbane.

Australia will play India in the opening match of the series tomorrow with Sri Lanka being the third side.

South Africa will seek to complete a clean sweep against West Indies in Johannesburg tomorrow and would look to come closer to Australia at the top.

If the Proteas win that game, they will finish on 127 ratings points on the ICC ODI Championship table, just three points behind the Aussies.

Australia will have to reach the finals of the tri-series so as to maintain their domination at the top and even that might not be enough for the host to continue their domination in ICC ODI Championship table.

Now that all the major cricketing nations have got into their coloured clothes for the shorter version of the game, their could be some major shuffling in the ICC rankings.

With just five ratings points separating New Zealand in third position and England in seventh, next few weeks are certain to see a fierce competition as the cut-off date for the determination of seedings at the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 approches.

Wherever the top eight teams sit on March 12, will dictate the make-up of the two groups for the big event, which takes place in Pakistan next September.

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