Cricket World Ratings 28th March 2018

It's been a hard winter for England.  Already well beaten by Australia in their quest to retain the Ashes, the team are now in New Zealand, where they've just lost the first test after being bowled out for a mere 58 runs in their first innings.  A great result for the hosts, and an embarassing one for their visitors, who might need to ask some tough questions of themselves when they return to home soil.

As for Australia, a win in their first test in South Africa put them on course to potentially displace India at the top of my world rankings.  Two succesive defeats have put paid to that, and the second of these was particularly controversial, as they were caught in an act of pre-meditated cheating, using sandpaper to damage the condition of the ball.  Some old professionals believe this to be a storm in a teacup - all teams quietly manipulate the ball when they can, but to smuggle material onto the field for this express purpose crosses a line that has left many shocked.  It's hard to defend, and three players, including both captain (the brilliant Steve Smith) and vice-captain have been sent home.  With the side in disarray, it's hard to bet against the South Africans completing a series win in the final test.

So the world rankings currently look like this:

India         174
South Africa  150 +17 
Australia     120 -17
New Zealand    87 +14
Sri Lanka      29
England        10 -14
Pakistan      -27    
West Indies   -86
Bangladesh   -135
Zimbabwe     -322 

And it's worth noting the South Africans have already beaten India this winter; a victory over Australia as well (albeit that both series are at home) will have made it a very succesful winter from their point of view.

Cricket World Ratings 18th March 2018

There's a really interesting series going on at the moment between South Africa and Australia; the winner will have a good claim to contest with India, who lost in South Africa in a recent series, the title of the best team in the world (especially if that winner is Australia, the visiting team).  And Australia won the first test; but they've now lost the second. The effect on my rankings is to restore the two sides to near-equality.  There are two tests left to settle the issue; the first of these starts on Thursday.

India         174
Australia     137 -20
South Africa  133 +20
New Zealand    73 
Sri Lanka      29
England        24
Pakistan      -27    
West Indies   -86
Bangladesh   -135
Zimbabwe     -322

Cricket World Ratings 6th March 2018

This winter, Australia have seen off England; while South Africa (with home advantage) have beaten an Indian side that had accumulated a remarkable run of (mostly home) success. Now Australia are taaking their turn to visit South Africa; if they can do better than India did, they could challenge India for the position of top team in the world.  And they've made a good start, winning the first test.  They need to keep winning to take the number one spot; retaining the number two position is still more likely. The current ratings are below; the second test starts on Friday.

India         174
Australia     157 +16
South Africa  113 -16
New Zealand    73 
Sri Lanka      29
England        24
Pakistan      -27    
West Indies   -86
Bangladesh   -135
Zimbabwe     -322