Cricket: Super Series out of New Zealand's reach

Sri Lanka's sudden departure has left New Zealand in second place on the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings, but with virtually no chance of qualifying for next year's Super Series.

Having nudged ahead of Sri Lanka after the first-up win on Boxing Day, New Zealand were hoping to further close the gap on No 1 seeds Australia and play off for the pole position during the upcoming series in March.

The prospect had been especially attractive for the New Zealanders, as the ICC's No 1 ranked side on April 1 automatically qualifies for the three-match series against the Rest of the World later in the year.

However, with only five ODIs scheduled before the cut-off date, and with Australia involved in up to nine matches in this month's VB Series, New Zealand would require a mathematical miracle to qualify.

At present on 120 points, 16 behind Australia and three ahead of Sri Lanka, New Zealand could have boosted their tally to 125 with a clean sweep, which would have still left plenty of work to do before April.

Their only hope now involves the fanciful scenario of Australia being rolled by both Pakistan and the West Indies in their upcoming VB Series matches, and limping into New Zealand on the back of a six-game losing streak.

The ICC Super Series will comprise three ODIs against the Rest of the World at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on October 5, 7 and 9, and a six-day test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from October 14 to 19.

Australia have been confirmed as the team to take on the World XI at Sydney, dominating the test scene to the extent that - even if they'd lost all three tests against Pakistan, they still would qualify.

The only chance now of any New Zealanders being involved in the Super Series is if they are selected for one of the Rest of the World teams.