South Africa, with their three successive victories over Australia, have regained the No.1 spot in the ranking.

By Rajesh Kumar

South Africa won by seven wickets at Centurion, by 25 runs at Cape Town and by 61 runs at Port Elizabeth respectively against Australia to regain the top position.

South Africa, with an unassailable 3-1 lead, became the first nation to register a hat-trick of bilateral series wins over Australia.

They had won the 2005-06 series by 3-2 in South Africa followed by 4-1 triumph in 2008-09 in Australia.

Having won the 1999-2000 series by 2-1 at home, South Africa have become the first team to record four bilateral ODI series triumphs over Australia.

England defeated Australia in a bilateral series three times in England, followed by West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - two times each and India and New Zealand once each.

Australia, with their 61-run defeat to South Africa on Monday, have lost nine ODIs in 2009 - the most by any nation this year. 

Their winning percentage of 30.76 - four wins out of 14 (1 NR) - has placed Australia at the bottom i.e. at No.9 amongst the Test-playing countries. 

A brief summary of Australia's bilateral series defeats (Minimum 3 ODIs in a series):