For the first time in almost three years Australia is no longer officially cricket’s No.1-ranked one-day nation.

After the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual update of their limited overs rankings, Australia has dropped to fourth on the ladder – its lowest ranking since the ODI table was launched in 2002.

Making the news worse for Aussie fans, rivals England are the new top-ranked team, just ahead of second-placed South Africa with world champions India in third spot.

Australia’s decline comes after their outstanding record of 30 wins from 40 ODIs in 2009-10 dropped out of consideration for rankings points.

The ICC updates the rankings each year and the new tables only include results from matches played from August 2010 onwards.

It’s the first time England have topped the ODI championship table with Australia nine points adrift of their rivals.

On the T20 rankings, South Africa has taken over from England at No.1 with Australia plummeting from sixth to ninth – below New Zealand and even minnows Bangladesh.

England could regain the No.1 T20 spot when they take on the Proteas in a three-match series starting on September 8.