Oz return to top of ICC's ODI rankings post outclassing Proteas 4-1 in one-day series

Australia returned to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s ODI rankings post defeating South Africa by two wickets in Sydney to win the one-day series 4-1.

The hosts were set a Duckworth/Lewis target of 275 from 48 overs after South Africa made 280-6 from their 50 overs as opener Quinton de Kock hit 107. The Ausstralians appeared to be coasting at 264-4 but lost four wickets for three runs to set up a tense finish.

However, James Faulkner hit the winning runs with five balls to spare, The BBC reported.

It means that in the ICC's new rankings table, Australia are only 0.2 ranking points ahead of India, with South Africa third.

With Australia having already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, South Africa, missing injured skipper AB de Villiers, looked to have set a competitive total as man of the match De Kock anchored the innings, adding 107 for the second wicket with Rilee Rossouw, who hit 51.

Farhaan Behardien then did his World Cup chances no harm with a blistering career-best 63 from 41 balls before he fell in the last over.

However, the tourists' bowling lacked bite without rested paceman Dale Steyn, and half-centuries from opener Aaron Finch (76 from 67 balls), Shane Watson (82) and Steve Smith (67) put Australia in the driving seat, despite a brief rain interruption.

But when man of the series Smith fell to spinner Robin Peterson (4-32) with 11 runs still needed from 25 balls, it sparked a mini-collapse as Peterson bowled a double-wicket maiden, leaving eight runs required off the last 13 deliveries.

But Faulkner held his nerve to hit the first ball of the last over, bowled by Peterson, for four to make sure of victory.

Australia now host a four-Test series against India, then a triangular ODI series in January which also features India and England, before the World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on 14 February, the report added.