Mithali returns to top of ICC ODI rankings

Dubai: India captain Mithali Raj has returned to the top of the ICC Women`s ODI Rankings for batters after top scoring in the side`s recent series against England with 251 runs.

Despite India losing the series, Mithali`s return to the top of the rankings has seen her displace ICC Women`s Cricketer of the Year 2011, West Indies` Stafanie Taylor. Meanwhile, her England counterpart, Charlotte Edwards, despite leading her side to a 3-2 series win over India, has slipped down the rankings to sixth after a disappointing series with the bat. Positive movement has been seen by India`s Harmanpreet Kaur, the second most prolific run-getter in the series, who is now ranked seventh, her highest ranking to date after beginning the series in 15th. England`s Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway have also both risen up the rankings to third and fourth respectively. In the ICC Women`s ODI Rankings for bowlers, former India captain Jhulan Goswami has maintained her fourth place after claiming seven wickets in the series. Australia`s Lisa Sthalekar has topped the table followed by England`s Katherine Brunt who took eight wickets during the series. There is no change in the ICC Women`s ODI Player Rankings for all-rounders, which is currently topped by Taylor of the West Indies and Sthalekar in second place. PTI