India may have won 5-0 over England but they still couldn't dislodge South Africa from second place © Getty Images Enlarge

India's 5-0 victory in the home one-dayers against England last month has helped them close in on second spot in the ICC ODI Championship. South Africa have lost their four-point lead over India but retain second place by a fraction of a point.

One more win in the series would have helped Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team leapfrog South Africa but they were denied the opportunity by the postponement of the final two ODIs.

Meanwhile, England's crushing defeat cost them five points and their sixth place is under pressure from Sri Lanka, who have been lifted by their clean sweep of Zimbabwe to within a point of England.

Zimbabwe pushed Sri Lanka close in each of the final three ODIs, but their inability to complete even one victory means they lost further ground to Ireland in 10th place and are only two points ahead of Kenya.

At the other end of the table, Australia maintained their grip on top spot with a comfortable 12-point lead over South Africa.

ICC ODI Championship

30 Nov 2008