Dubai, May 2 -- The players of Australia and New Zealand rose in the ICC Women's T20I team rankings following the annual update made by the ICC on Friday.

The Aussies maintained their stronghold on the No.1 ranking with 299 rating points and even extended their lead over second-placed England (279) from 18 points to 20 after the update.

While there are no positional changes among the top-eight ranks, reigning ICC Women's T20 World Cup winners New Zealand were rewarded with a two-point increase to 253 rating points and are now within seven points of third-placed India (260).

South Africa (243), West Indies (240), Sri Lanka (228), and Pakistan (220) round out the top eight teams on the rankings. Ireland moved up one place and past Bangla...