Dubai, Jan 23: Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar has an opportunity to reclaim the number-one position from India’s Jhulan Goswami in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for bowlers should the 32-year-old have a good turn with the ball in the upcoming Rose Bowl series that begins on Wednesday against New Zealand in Sydney.

Sthalekar is just 14 ratings points behind table-topper Jhulan Goswami of India, the off-spinning Australian previously held the number-one position back in February 2010. The all-rounder has a real chance of retaking the top slot if she claims a number of wickets in the three-match series. Sthalekar also has an opportunity to close in on the gap between her and ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2011, Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies, who currently tops the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for all-rounders.

Sthalekar is 33 ratings points behind the Jamaican all-rounder and if she maintains her current form as witnessed during the recent Twenty20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand, she could be in with a real chance to reclaim the spot she last held in 2007. Elsewhere in the bowling rankings, Australia’s Ellyse Perry in the next highest-ranked player involved in the upcoming series with the fast bowler eyeing a rise up from 11th place, while team-mate Erin Osborne, currently 19th, will also be hoping to climb up the table.

New Zealand’s bowlers currently outside of the top 20 includes medium-pace duo Sian Ruck and Kate Broadmore in 25th and 35th positions, respectively. The pair have struggled to take wickets in the recent Twenty20 Internationals but the longer format of the game may provide them with the wickets they require to rise up the rankings. Meanwhile, in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for batters there is a potential for plenty of movement from both Australia and New Zealand players.

The highest-ranked player from either side is Australia’s Alex Blackwell in sixth place, while Sthalekar is eighth and Jess Cameron 10th. New Zealand captain Suzie Bates is currently the highest-ranked White Fern in 14th place. The right-handed batter took over the captaincy this season and will want a strong performance by the side in the series.

Meanwhile, Lucy Doolan (15th), Amy Satterwaite (18th) and Katey Martin (45th) will all have their eyes on moving up the table for the New Zealand women’s side. Australia’s young newcomer Meg Lanning, currently ranking 32nd after eight ODIs, may well break into the top 20 this series should she perform strongly with the bat. As mentioned earlier, the all-rounder table is topped by Taylor with Sthalekar in second, while Perry and Doolan respectively have a good chance of breaking into the top five. The player rankings will next be updated at the conclusion of the Rose Bowl series.