Either side's rise depends on India's performance in the ODI series against New Zealand
Australia and England begin a five-match series from 12 January in Melbourne, with both sides having an opportunity to reclaim the number-one position on the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings.
Australia is currently ranked second with 114 ratings points, six ratings behind number-one ranked India, while England is ranked third on 111 ratings points.
Australia and England's rise to the top position however, is dependent on how India fares in its five-match series against host New Zealand, which begins on 19 January in Napier. There are a number of scenarios which would see either nation return to the top and displace India if the current number 1 fails to win in the land of the long white cloud.
For Australia to become number-one:
Australia v England (Australia 3-2); New Zealand v India (New Zealand 5-0)
Australia v England (Australia 5-0); New Zealand v India (New Zealand 3-2)
Australia v England (Australia 4-1); New Zealand v India (New Zealand 4-1)
For England to become number-one:
Australia v England (England 4-1); New Zealand v India (New Zealand 5-0)
Australia v England (England 5-0); New Zealand v India (New Zealand 4-1)
After the tour Down Under is completed, England return to play an ODI series against Sri Lanka in May before facing India in August. The second match of the England versus India ODI Series is in Wales, with England unbeaten in Cardiff in full internationals, whilst India also enjoy playing in the Welsh capital winning three times in 2013 en route to lifting the ICC Champions Trophy defeating England in the Final. For more information on tickets for this match click here
Forthcoming fixtures Australia v England
12 January-First ODI, Melbourne (d/n)
17 January-Second ODI, Brisbane (d/n)
19 January-Third ODI, Sydney (d/n)
24 January-Fourth ODI, Perth (d/n)
26 January-Fifth ODI, Adelaide (d/n)
New Zealand v India
19 January-First ODI, Napier (d/n)
22 January-Second ODI, Hamilton (d/n)
25 January-Third ODI, Auckland (d/n)
28 January-Fourth ODI, Hamilton (d/n)
31 January-Fifth ODI, Wellington (d/n)
Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings (as on 9 January after New Zealand-West Indies series, before Australia-England series)
Rank (+/-) Team Rating (+/-)
1 India 120
2 Australia 114
3 England 111
4 South Africa 110
5 Sri Lanka 108
6 Pakistan 101
7 (-) West Indies 90 (-)
8 (-) New Zealand 86 (+1)
9 Bangladesh 83
10 Zimbabwe 55
11 Ireland 38
12 Netherlands 13
13 Kenya 10
(Developed by David Kendix)
Download the Reliance ICC Rankings App via www.icc-cricket.com/mobile to predict the outcome of the series