Gilchrist replaces Dhoni at the top

In what is turning into a battle of the wicketkeepers, Adam Gilchrist has edged ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to recapture the top batsman's spot in the ICC one-day rankings. Gilchrist leapfrogged his captain, Ricky Ponting, as well as Dhoni thanks to his performances in the recently-concluded three-match series in Bangladesh.

Gilchrist now holds a slender advantage of just three rating points over Dhoni, who himself assumed the top position from Ponting for the first time less than two weeks ago. Ponting's modest series in Bangladesh saw him slip to third. Australia now has four players in the top five of the ODI batsmen's rankings with Gilchrist and Ponting joined by Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey in fourth and fifth spots respectively.

Shaun Pollock retained his spot at the top of the ODI bowler's list with Irfan Pathan close on his heels in second. Australia's highest-ranked player was Glenn McGrath - who was absent from the Bangladesh series for personal reasons - in fourth position.

Australia's 3-0 success in the series means it held its 13 point lead over South Africa at the top of the ODI table, with India a further three points back in third spot. There will also be a basement battle unfolding in the Caribbean as West Indies and Zimbabawe begin their seven-match one-day series on April 29. The two sides are currently in eighth and ninth places respectively in the table. If the West Indies achieve a clean-sweep of the series they will improve their rating by two points, going 12 behind seventh-placed England. But if Zimbabwe can win the series, it will close the gap considerably on the home side.

Brian Lara, recently re-appointed as the West Indies captain, will be making his first ODI appearance for the side since May last year, although he did play three matches for the World XI in the Super Series against Australia in October. Lara will also be anxious to improve on his current position in the LG ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen as he begins the series in 33rd spot, one place below Chanderpaul.

Click here for the full list of ODI rankings.