The updated International Netball Federation rankings show New Zealand has returned to second best in the world.
Maria Folau Photo: Photosport
Seven months out from the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool the Silver Ferns have bounced back to second in the world rankings.
After a disappointing result at this year's Commonwealth Games the Silver Ferns dropped to third for the first time in their history.
England's gold medal at the Games saw them leapfrog the Silver Ferns to second, but a recent three-nil whitewash against Jamaica during the Sunshine Series has seen them drop to fourth.
For the first time Jamaica are ranked third in the world with a single point separating New Zealand (173), Jamaica (172) and England (172) - the Silver Fern's win over world number one's Australia during the Constellation Cup proving critical.
The rankings reflect matches played up until 2nd December and now include the Netball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers in Africa, the Americas and Asia, the autumn Quad Series (between Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand), the Sunshine Series, Canada vs Cayman Islands Test Series and the recent England vs Uganda series.
The INF World Rankings are based on a points system calculated by a formula providing an average across all teams. Ratings are most heavily weighted on recent form, with points allocated on a decreasing scale across a period of two years.
Uganda's performance in the Africa Qualifiers has moved them to 7th, only one spot away from local rival Malawi who are 6th.
Australia remain number one 28 points clear of New Zealand.
- RNZ
