Netball: Silver Ferns finish year in second place

The Silver Ferns drew their four test series with Australia earlier this year. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand have ended the year a narrow second to Australia in the international netball rankings.

After the four transtasman test encounters this year were shared 2-2, Australia held onto the top spot courtesy of their 2007 world championship title. England are third and Jamaica fourth.

The rankings were established earlier this year, measuring the average performance of teams over a series of matches dating back to July 2004.

Results from 2004 to 2006 are given less weighting than recent results.

Leading rankings:
1. Australia 174 rating points
2. New Zealand 162
3. England 145
4. Jamaica 135
5. Samoa 115
6. Malawi 114
7. South Africa 108
8. Fiji 108
9. Trinidad and Tobago 105
10. Cook Islands 94 10

- NZPA