South Africa are ODI champions

The Proteas, who overtook Australia in the one-day rankings for the first time since 2002, defeated Sri Lanka by one wicket in an exciting Group Eight encounter of the World Cup Wednesday, remaining at the top spot in the ratings by the cut off date of April 1. It bagged $175,000 for the feat.

As South Africa takes the one-day championship prize, Australia can take consolation on two fronts -- as runner-up it will receive $75,000, more important, it has also topped the Test Championship and so will receive a further $175,000.

In the one-day championship race, both sides finished at 127 points. But a difference of 0.1199 separated them on further calculation.

"I'm delighted that we are top of the ODI Championship and I think it is a just reward for all the hard work and dedication the guys have shown over the past 18 months or so," said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

"Although this is very pleasing for us it will not detract us from the immediate job at hand. We are completely focused on the World Cup and we want to do the very best that we can while we are here in the Caribbean," he said.

It marks the end of a great 12 months of one-day cricket for South Africa following an outstanding run of results over the past year, which saw the Proteas win 15 of its 21 one-dayers ahead of the World Cup.

But with the one-day table so tight at the top, Australian can still get back on top if it continues to perform as it has done so far in the World Cup.

If both Australia and South Africa win their remaining Super Eight games, the Proteas will progress to the semi-finals as the No.1 one-day team.

But if it falters along the way, even once, and Australia remains unbeaten, then Ricky Ponting's men will make a rapid return to the top spot by the time the tournament is reduced down to four teams.

ODI Championship:

1. South Africa 127 rating points2. Australia 1273. New Zealand 1154. Pakistan 1105. Sri Lanka 1086. India 1067. England 1058. West Indies 1029. Bangladesh 4410. Zimbabwe 22

Test Championship:

1. Australia 135 rating points2. England 1143. Pakistan 1084. India 1075. Sri Lanka 1026. South Africa 1027. New Zealand 938. West Indies 729. Zimbabwe 2810. Bangladesh 2

(IANS)

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