Australia gets another prize

SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting was presented with the International Cricket Council's one-day world championship shield before the tri-series match against England at the SCG today.

The shield rewards for Australia being on top of the ICC ratings when they were established in October.

Australia's Test team, under the leadership of Steve Waugh, is also at the top of the ICC's world Test championship.

The ceremony took only a few minutes today, with the Australian team posing for photographs quickly before hurrying back to the dressing room.

Ponting said on match eve the shield recognised Australia's consistent one-day form since failing to make the one-day finals against New Zealand and South Africa last summer.

"It certainly is nice to be recognised in that way," he said.

"These things come around when you perform at a high level for a long period of time and that's what this side has been able to do not only in Test cricket but one-day cricket as well."

Australia will hold the shield for as long as it stays on top of the table.