Best ODI rankings outcome for New Zealand against Australia?

Question

New Zealand are currently the fourth ranked ODI team behind Australia, India and South Africa. If they win five match ODI series against Australia in March 2010, how far can they progress up the rankings?

Answer 1

If New Zealand can take a 5-0 clean sweep of the series against Australia (which is highly unlikely if we’re to be honest about it) they’ll move into second place in the ODI rankings but cannot overtake Australia in the rankings even with a series whitewash. A 4-1 win to New Zealand would promote them above South Africa to third in the ODI rankings.