A BLACKCAPS Chappell-Hadlee Series win could see the New Zealanders move back up the ICC ODI Championship table - and cause a further blow to Australian prestige.
A home victory in this week’s three-match series will see Stephen Fleming’s side move as high as third.
And an Australian defeat, coupled with a South Africa victory against Pakistan, would see the Proteas displace the world champions from the top of the pile.
Australia have maintained top spot in the rankings for the duration of their five-year history.
England’s Tri-Series win has moved them within one point of the BLACKCAPS.
South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock leads the bowling rankings after a fine performance against Pakistan in Cape Town.
His two wickets for just 13 runs in 10 overs moved him well ahead of second-placed Glenn McGrath, but also moved him to fourth in the all-time table.
A rankings haul of 910 puts him behind only Joel Garner, Sir Richard Hadlee and Muttiah Muralidaran.
Only five bowlers have recorded over 900 points – McGrath is the other – while former BLACKCAP Ewen Chatfield is sixth on the all-time list.
ICC ODI Championship
(after Australian tri-series)
1 Australia 130
2 South Africa 127
3 Pakistan 112
4 Sri Lanka 110
5 India 107
6 New Zealand 107
7 England 106
8 West Indies 101
9 Bangladesh 42
10 Zimbabwe 22
ICC ODI All-time bowler rankings
1 Joel Garner (WI) 940
2 Richard Hadlee (NZ) 923
3 Muttiah Muralidaran (SL) 913
4 Shaun Pollock (SA) 910
5 Glenn McGrath (Aus) 903
6 Ewen Chatfield (NZ) 892
7= Dennis Lillee (Aus), Malcolm Marshall (WI) 891
9 Curtly Ambrose (WI) 877
10 Michael Holding (WI) 875
