The Proteas are now five points clear of Australia in the ODI rankings, after the ICC’s annual update.

The rankings get updated on 1 May every year to ensure that the table reflects recent form. The table now reflects all matches from 1 May 2014, with matches played from 1 May 2016 carrying 100% weighting.

The Proteas originally only had a one-point advantage over Australia, but AB de Villiers’ men have now pulled five points clear of the Aussies, thanks to their incredible run of form since September last year that saw them win 12 matches in a row, including whitewash series victories over Australia and Sri Lanka.

The cut-off date for direct qualification for the 2019 Cricket World Cup is 30 September 2017, which isn’t good news for ninth-placed West Indies, with only the top eight teams making it through. Pakistan have extended their lead over West Indies to nine points, with Pakistan dropping two points, and West Indies dropping four points.

ICC ODI RANKINGS:

1 South Africa 123 (+4)
2 Australia 118 (-)
3 India 117 (+5)
4 New Zealand 115 (+2)
5 England 109 (+1)
6 Sri Lanka 93 (-5)
7 Bangladesh 91 (-1)
8 Pakistan 88 (-2)
9 West Indies 79 (-4)
10 Afghanistan 52 (-)
11 Zimbabwe 46 (-2)
12 Ireland 43 (+1)

Photo: Getty Images