Australia edge SA in last ODI to go top of rankings

SYDNEY, Nov 23 (AFP): James Faulkner hit the winning boundary with five balls to spare to give Australia a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa Sunday and push them to the top of the ICC one-day rankings.
The Australians were cruising towards a rain-reduced victory target of 275 in Sydney but then lost four wickets for three runs to give the Proteas a late chance of victory.
But Faulkner (six not out) got Australia over the line with a sweep for four off spinner Robin Peterson, who had bowled the Proteas into contention with four wickets.
Australia secured a 4-1 series win and nudged ahead of India by just 0.2 points to top the one-day rankings, less than three months before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was named man-of-the-match in a losing side for his 107 off 123 balls after South Africa won the toss and scored 280 for six.
Australia 8 for 275 (Watson 82, Finch 76, Smith 67, Peterson 4-32) beat South Africa 6 for 280 (De Kock 107, Behardien 63, Rossouw 51, Cummins 3-54) by 2 wickets (D/L method).