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.