ODI award for Australia
June 15, 2012 14:49:53 UK
Australia have been awarded the ICC ODI Shield for being the world's best team in the 50-over format.
We are always looking to improve.
Michael Clarke
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland accepted the shield and prize money of US$175,000 from ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat on behalf of the squad.
Australia are the top-ranked team in ODI cricket, a feat they also achieved in 2010 and 2011, but captain Michael Clarke said his side were still looking to improve.
"We've been ranked number one in ODI cricket for some time now and have a well-balanced side that competes in any conditions," Clarke said.
"We are always looking to improve and we head to the UK to take on England and Ireland in this form of the game.
"The series against England will be a great challenge for us - the number one ranked ODI team against the number one ranked Test team in English conditions."
While they failed to defend their title at the ICC World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Australia performed well in the 50-over format.
In the tri-series against World Cup finalists India and Sri Lanka in Australia, the hosts came out on top.
"It's a great honour to be receiving the award today on behalf of the Australian team," Sutherland told reporters.
"If you look back on the last year, it's been a fantastic year of one-day international cricket for the Australian team.
"(They) quickly got over the disappointment of not being able to retain the World Cup in 2011, but had a great year of one-day cricket, culminating in winning the Commonwealth Bank Series and beating the two finalists of last year's World Cup final."
Joint hosts Australia are 4.50 to win the 2015 World Cup, with India 5.50 and England 7.00.
Don't forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.
View all Cricket betting