Australia with the new ICC ODI Championship Shield Photo © Getty Images

Australia will be presented with the new ICC One Day international Championship Shield by ICC President Malcolm Gray before the VB series opener against England on Friday 13th December in Sydney.

The match will be Australia's first ODI fixture since the official ICC ODI rankings were introduced at the end of October 2002. Australia topped the inaugural table and captain Ricky Ponting will collect the shield from Mr Gray on the field before the match commences at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Mr Gray said: "It is entirely fitting that Australia should be the first recipients of this magnificent new ICC ODI shield. As the current ICC Cricket World Cup holder, the team has been a powerful and innovative force in the shorter form of the game in recent years.

"The introduction of the official ICC ODI rankings in October was a clear and overdue recognition of the importance of One Day International cricket. I hope that it will help add an extra level of excitement and relevance to all future ODI matches around the cricketing world."

The 500mm circular ODI Championship Shield has been produced by Flynn Silver and weighs approximately six kilograms. Given the brief to produce a trophy inspired by the excitement and drama of One Day International cricket, the gold and silver-plated shield uses as its centrepiece an image of a famous catch taken by South Africa's Jonty Rhodes. The figure, sculpted in sterling silver, is triumphantly capturing a 1.5 ct. Argyle diamond representing the white ball of the One Day International game.

This theme is also created on the rim with 14 cast sterling silver cricket balls representing 11 players and three umpires. A glimpse of traditional red leather separates the 24 ct. gold and silver plated dishes.

Flynn Silver was founded in 1946 and pieces produced by the company now reside in Buckingham Palace, the White House and in the homes of many of world's most distinguished state and corporate leaders.

With their closest rivals South Africa closing in on top spot due to recent victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Australia will need to get off to a winning start to the VB series to ensure they hold on to their lead in the ICC ODI rankings.

Mark Harrison	Jon Long
ICC Communications Manager	Project Officer-Corporate Affairs
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