After every ODI match, the two teams involved receive points based on a mathematical formula.

[1] Until 2013, the team ranked number one at the annual 1 April cut-off date received the ICC ODI Championship Shield and prize money.

These rankings were used to seed the initial stage of the global World Cricket League.

This table lists the teams that have successively held the highest rating since that date, by whole month periods.

The table only begins from 1981 as, prior to this date, there is not enough data available due to the infrequency of matches and the small number of competing teams in the earlier periods.

The teams that have successively held the highest rating since January 1981 until September 2002, by whole month periods, are: The summary of teams that have held the highest rating since 1981 until present by whole month periods, are: The rankings system was formerly called the ICC ODI championship and, until 2013, the team at the top of the table at the start of each April was awarded the ICC ODI Championship Shield.