Recent results in one-day cricket have not only made a mockery of the rankings but it has also injected some much-needed excitement in the format.

First, it was current No. 1 India, who lost to Pakistan (No. 6) at home, followed by third-ranked Australia, who fought hard to just level a series with visitors Sri Lanka. Then it was the turn of hosts South Africa to lose a three-match series to lower-ranked New Zealand.

When Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels came close to trading blows at the jam-packed MCG, it made for great TV viewing.

Sadly, in a sport like cricket which has always been considered a “gentleman’s game”, it wasn’t an aberration.