Lorgat presents ICC ODI Shield to Australia

Sutherland also received the prize-money cheque of USD 175,000 from Tim Sullivan, Managing Director Australia NZ for Reliance Globalcom.

Haroon Lorgat, while congratulating Michael Clarke and his team for retaining the number one ranking, said: "In the past 20 years the Australian team has maintained an amazing grip on the Reliance ICC ODI Shield. They have simply dominated the 50 over format and show no signs of relinquishing their crown.

"This is the third successive year that Australia has been the top ODI side and indeed their dominance stretches back to 2002. Only in 2008 and 2009, when South Africa pushed them into second place, has Australia not been the number one side at the April 1 cut-off date.

"The importance of the Reliance ICC ODI Shield should be celebrated as this is the ICC Cricket World Cup format. It is no coincidence that Australia won successive World Cups in 2003 and 2007 during a period when they virtually owned the Shield." MORE