Mithali Raj tops women's ODI batting rankings

India captain Mithali Raj returned to the top of the Reliance ICC Women's ODI batting rankings after top-scoring in the side's recent series against England with 251 runs.

Despite India losing the series, Mithali's return to the top of the rankings has seen her displace West Indies' Stafanie Taylor, ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year 2011.

Meanwhile, her England counterpart, Charlotte Edwards, despite leading her side to a 3-2 series win over India, slipped down the rankings to sixth after a disappointing series with the bat.

There was positive movement by India's  Harmanpreet Kaur, the second most prolific run-getter in the series. She is now ranked seventh, her highest ranking to date after beginning the series at No 15.

England's Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway also rose up the rankings to third and fourth respectively.

In the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Rankings for bowlers, which is topped by Australia's Lisa Sthalekar, England's Katherine Brunt forced herself into second place having taken eight wickets during the series.

Brunt is now just two rating points away from Sthalekar, but with England not scheduled to play any ODIs until after the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, it may be some time before she makes her bid to reclaim the number one position.

Former India captain Jhulan Goswami maintained her fourth place after claiming seven wickets in the series, while England's Jenny Gunn dropped to ninth and was leap-frogged into eighth position by India's Gouther Sultana.

There is no change in the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings for all-rounders, which is currently topped by Taylor of the West Indies and Sthalekar in second place.