Aussies reclaim No 1 status in ODI, Hayden named top ODI batsman

New Delhi, March 30 (UNI) In what came as a double reward for them, Australia reclaimed the the top ODI spot, while the team's big-hitting opener Mathew Hayden has been conferred with the top ODI batsman status in the Maruti Suzuki Cricket Ratings issued by ESPN STAR Sports today.

The Aussies regained the number one status in ODI with 93 points from arch rivals South Africa (91 points) following their first round victory over the Proteas in the on-going World Cup. They also continue to lead the Test arena with 131 points.

Meanwhile, big-shouldered Matthew Hayden, with his belligerent hitting in the World Cup leads the list of ODI batsmen with 174 points, followed by his captain Ricky Ponting with 168 points, while South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is at number three with 163 points.

Interestingly, the only Indian who features in top 10 of ODI ratings is former captain and come back hero Sourav Ganguly who is tied at number six spot with West Indies opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul with 152 points, following his good scores in the Cup.

Meanwhile, after being named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year 2006, Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf again came to the limelight by topping the chart of Test batsman with 194 points, followed by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting with 187 points. The clinical finisher Mike Hussey is at number three with 180 points, while Indian skipper Rahul Dravid finds himself at number six with 165 points.

However, in the ODI bowling charts, it is Kiwi spearhead Shane Bond who is on top with 194 points followed by Australian left arm swing bowler Nathan Bracken (189 points). Spin wizard Muttiah Murlitharan finds himself at number three with 181 points, closely followed by Bangladeshi sensation Mashrafe Mortaza (178 points).

Muralitharan leads the Test bowlers ranking's with 196 points, and close on the heels are Makhaya Ntini of South Africa (188 points) and India's Anil Kumble (181 points), who has foramally announced his retirement from one-day cricket this evening.

UNI