Cricket World Ratings 29th December 2019

England' miserable winter continues: after losing their two test series in New Zealand, they've just been worsted in their first test against South Africa.  New Zealand, though, have had a tougher time of things in Australia than they did at home: they've just lost their second (successive) test.  My world ratings now look like this:

India         259    
Australia     208 +13  
New Zealand   139 -13
South Africa  129 +18
England       125 -18     
Sri Lanka      93
Pakistan       78  
West Indies   -13    
Bangladesh   -126    
Zimbabwe     -252    
Afghanistan  -303    
Ireland      -339

Both series continue in the new year.

Cricket World Ratings 23rd December 2019

Pakistan have had a bad time in world cricket of late; but they've just succeeded in beating Sri Lanka in the second test between the two countries, completing a 1-0 series win at home. My world ratings now look like this:

India         259    
Australia     195  
New Zealand   152   
England       143     
South Africa  111
Sri Lanka      93 -21
Pakistan       78 +21 
West Indies   -13    
Bangladesh   -126    
Zimbabwe     -252    
Afghanistan  -303    
Ireland      -339

 The offical world ratings are as follows:

India         120
New Zealand   112
South Africa  102
England       102
Australia     102 
Sri Lanka      92 -3
Pakistan       85 +5  
West Indies    81
Bangladesh     60
Afghanistan    49
Zimbabwe       16
Ireland         0

Meanwhile, on Boxing Day, Australia and New Zealand resume their series (Australia lead 1-0 after one test), and England begin their tour of South Africa.

Cricket World Ratings 16th December 2019

As the year draws to a close, two things are becoming clear in world cricket's pacing order: firstly, that India are streets ahead of anybody else, and secondly, that Australia are the best of the rest.  Both are particularly invincible at home: Australia have just steamrollered New Zealand, arguably the 3rd best team, in their first test.  Meanwhile, one struggling side (Sri Lanka) have drawn with another (Pakistan, who actually playing at home, their first home test for quite a while after a long interval spent playing in the Gulf due to security concerns).  My world ratings now look like this:

India         259    
Australia     195 +16  
New Zealand   152 -16  
England       143   
Sri Lanka     115  +2  
South Africa  111    
Pakistan       57  -2 
West Indies   -13    
Bangladesh   -126    
Zimbabwe     -252    
Afghanistan  -303    
Ireland      -339

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play again before Christmas: on Boxing Day, Australia and New Zealand resume, and England begin their tour of South Africa.

Cricket World Ratings 3rd December 2019

England have just drawn their second test in New Zealand.  But the hosts have won the series; and England have completed the year without a test series win. Meanwhile, Australia have twice trounced Pakistan; and the West Indies have seen off newcomers Afghanistan in a single test.  My cricket world ratings now look like this:

India         256
Australia     179  +9
New Zealand   168  -8
England       143  +8
Sri Lanka     113 
South Africa  111
Pakistan       59 -10  
West Indies   -13  +9     
Bangladesh   -122    
Zimbabwe     -252                
Afghanistan  -303  -8
Ireland      -339
 
The official ratings, which also include an update from the recent India-Bangladesh series, now look like this:

India         120 +1
New Zealand   112 +3
South Africa  102
England       102 -2
Australia     102 +3
Sri Lanka      95    
West Indies    81 +1
Pakistan       80 -4
Bangladesh     60 -1
Afghanistan    49 -6
Zimbabwe       16
Ireland         0

So very similar, but notably less kind to Australia.  I think my own ratings are probably more on the mark here.  It's also interesting that Pakistan have fallen behind West Indies, who haven't been rated in the top six for a long time, although this speaks more of Pakistan's current weakness than of any West Indies revival. Next up: Pakistan try to rebuild at home to Sri Lanka; while New Zealand travel to Australia, in a credible struggle for the game's number two slot.