MS Dhoni has retaken top spot in the ICC Rankings for ODI batsmen as his see-saw battle with Michael Hussey continues.

Australia's Hussey, who had been top of the log briefly following the recent series against Pakistan, scored 23 in the fourth ODI and didn’t play in the fifth and final match of the series and so drops below Dhoni, who now embarks on a three-ODI series against South Africa.

The news is better for Hussey’s captain Ricky Ponting, who has gained four places in the latest rankings and regains a position in the top five, sitting as he does now in fourth spot, just behind South Africa’s AB de Villiers.

The main mover in the rankings for ODI bowlers is Australia’s Doug Bollinger, who has gained no fewer than 25 places and has broken into the top 20 for the first time in his career.

The 28-year-old New South Welshman took 11 wickets in the five-ODI series at an impressive average of 11.36 and an economy-rate of just 3.90 runs per over to help his team to a 5-0 clean sweep. He now sits in 18th position in the latest rankings, not far behind Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis.

Looking ahead to the India v South Africa, there will be plenty of opportunity for movement in the player rankings. And in the ICC ODI Championship, South Africa can move ahead of India into second place if they win the series 2-1 or better. Even if India win the series 3-0, they cannot catch number-one-ranked Australia, who are the clear leaders.