Since the spring, England have won the one-day World Cup, albeit by the narrowest of margins; at one point where 43-7 in their first ever test match against newbies Ireland, though they eventually recovered to win; and are 0-1 down at home in the Ashes against Australia after two of the five scheduled games, with Steve Smith's batting so far the main difference between the two sides. Meanwhile, New Zealand, who lost the World Cup final by a whisker, have travelled to Sri Lanka; but have lost their first test there. The net effect on the world rankings is as follows:
India 204
Australia 169 +24
England 141 -22
Sri Lanka 141 +19
South Africa 140
New Zealand 133 -18
Pakistan 80
West Indies 2
Bangladesh -83
Zimbabwe -252
Afghanistan -334
Ireland -339 -1
I have discovered some minor errors in the previously published rankings, hence the adjustments may seem slightly out compared with what you might calculate directly. The most notable feature of the rankings as they are is the incredible small distance between a number of the leading sides. This may sort out further over the remainder of the summer: England still have three tests to play against Australia, New Zealand play another test in Sri Lanka, while India travel to the West Indies before the month is out.
