Aussies still hunting No.1 spot

Three wins required against Proteas in remaining ODIs

Australia must win all three remaining matches in the Carlton Mid One-Day International Series against South Africa to reclaim the world No.1 ranking from India.

Darren Lehmann's side currently sits third in the Reliance ICC ODI rankings, three points behind reigning ICC Cricket World Cup champions India, who consolidated their No.1 ranking with a 5-0 sweep against Sri Lanka, completed in Ranchi on Sunday.

The Proteas could also still claim the No.1 spot by also winning all three remaining matches, starting with Wednesday's day-night encounter at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

With Australia currently sitting on 114 points, a 4-1 series result against South Africa would see them take top spot by a fraction of a point from India.

The Proteas, currently second on 115 points, would move to 118 if they won the series 4-1.

Winning two of the final three games would not only give the Australians the Carlton Mid ODI Series silverware, it would also see them climb above the Proteas for second spot on the ICC's rankings table.

The three teams will continue to jostle for the No.1 position until the World Cup, which begins on February 14.

Australia and India will face off in at least two ODIs in January during the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri Series.

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.

Possible outcomes for Australia from the Carlton Mid One-Day International series

- Australia become No.1 if they beat South Africa 4-1
- South Africa become No.1 if they beat Australia 4-1
- A 3-2 win to Australia would see them climb above the Proteas to No.2, with India remaining No.1
- A 3-2 win to South Africa would see them remain No.2, with India keeping top position.

CA