*DUBAI:* England’s burgeoning status as a white-ball team has beenconfirmed by their ascent to the top of the latest ICC one-day rankings,with India slipping to No.2 on the list, reportedlink> Cricinfo.

England’s ascent to the top spot was cemented by two impressive awayvictories this winter – they beat Australia 4-1 in January before seeingoff New Zealand 3-2 in March.

That 2014-15 season, which also featured the removal of Alastair Cook asODI captain in the wake of a losing tour of Sri Lanka, is now widelyrecognised as a watershed moment for English cricket.

Eoin Morgan’s appointment as captain was unable to salvage their World Cupcampaign, but England’s form in the subsequent home summer was revelatory.Against New Zealand at Edgbaston, in their first completed fixture of thepost-World Cup era, England posted their first 400-plus total in ODIs, andhave made 300 or more in 27 of their 60 completed innings.

England, who last topped the ODI rankings in January 2013, have gainedeight points and moved to 125 points. India, who were at the top before theupdate, have lost a solitary point and are in second place with a total of122 points.

South Africa, who were second, have dropped down to third place afterlosing four points, from 117 to 113, leaving them nine points adrift ofIndia and only one point ahead of fourth- placed New Zealand.

The remaining places remain unchanged, confirming that the current top 10ranked sides are the ones who will be playing at next year’s World Cup inEngland. However, there have been some significant changes in points.

World champions Australia have lost eight points to go down to 104 in fifthposition and are only two points ahead Pakistan, last year’s ChampionsTrophy winners, who have gained six points.

In other changes, Bangladesh (93 points) have gained three points, SriLanka (77) have lost seven points, the Windies (69) have lost five points,Afghanistan (63) have gained five points, Zimbabwe (55) have gained fourpoints and 12th-placed Ireland (38) have lost three points.

In the T20I rankings, led by Pakistan, there is no change in the top sevenplaces but Afghanistan are now ahead of Sri Lanka in eighth slot.