Cricket World Ratings 25th Feburary 2020

 

Only a few weeks ago, Joe Root scored his thrid successive first innings total of 190 or greater, and set England up for their sixth successive away win. In defeating India, England even went top of my world ratings.  They didn't make many second innings runs in that game, but it didn't matter. However, that poor second innings total began a series whereby each subsequent innings has been lower than the last, and now in two successive tests they have broken their record for their lowest first innings total in India.  In their latest game, they were defeated in less than 2 days in spite of whittling Inida out cheaply thanks to Root of all people taking 5-8 with the ball.  Overall, it was the 10th lowest scoring test match (excluding drawn games, which are generally only low scoring if time is lost due to bad weather) ever.  They could still draw the series, but it's hard to see them coming back from this defeat.  My latest world ratings see India clearly back on top:

1. India         254 +14    
2. New Zealand   208 
3. England       196 -14
4. Australia     177 
5. Pakistan      108 
6. South Africa   60
7. West Indies    30 
8. Sri Lanka      16  
9. Bangladesh   -156   
   
10. Zimbabwe     -251    
11. Afghanistan  -303    
12. Ireland      -338

Next week, the final game in the series is scheduled, while Zimbabwe begin a two-game visit to Afghanistan.

Cricket World Ratings 16th February 2021

West Indies narrowly managed to make it two out of two on their Bangldesh tour last week; but England, who had surprised everyone by winning their sixth successive away match at the start of their Indian tour, came crashing down to earth, wallopped by the home side who will fancy themselves to repeat the feat in the remaining two matches.  England's win had briefly taken them to the top of my world ratings, but it turns out to have been a brief stay, as India retake first place:

1. India         240 +14
   
2. England       210 -14   
3. New Zealand   208  
4. Australia     177 
5. Pakistan      108 
6. South Africa   60
7. West Indies    30 +16
8. Sri Lanka      16  
9. Bangladesh   -156 -16   
   
10. Zimbabwe     -251    
11. Afghanistan  -303    
12. Ireland      -338

The official world ratings have been updated also but these only reflect completed series, so only the series in Bangladesh yet counts:

1. New Zealand   118 
2. India         118 
3. Australia     113
4. England       108 
   
5. Pakistan       90
6. South Africa   89 
7. Sri Lanka      83  
8. West Indies    80 +3 
9. Bangladesh     51 -4
   

India and England resume next week.

Cricket World Ratings 9th February 2021

Three pretty good test matches have just been completed in the Indian subcontinent.  South Africa made a good attempt at chasing a large total in Pakistan, but ultimately fell short. West Indies pulled off an even more heroic run chase against Bangladesh.  And England won in India, benefitting from a crucial toss but making no mistakes to beat a team who recently won against all odds in Australia.  My ratings give a lot of credit for winning away from home; and in consequence, England (who have actually now won their last six away tests) go top, for the first time since a brief moment at the end of 2018.  As then, their lead is wafer thin; if they can manage to win not just one test, but the series, they will more fully deserve the honour.

1. England       226 +30 
2. India         224 -30   
3. New Zealand   208  
4. Australia     177 
5. Pakistan      108 +15
6. South Africa   60 +15  
7. Sri Lanka      16   
   
8. West Indies    14 +18   
   
9. Bangladesh   -140 -18   
   
10. Zimbabwe     -251    
11. Afghanistan  -303    
12. Ireland      -338

The official world ratings have been updated also but these only reflect completed series, so only Pakistan and South Africa are affected:

1. New Zealand   118 
2. India         118 
3. Australia     113
4. England       108 
   
5. Pakistan       90 +8
6. South Africa   89 -7
7. Sri Lanka      83  
8. West Indies    77 
9. Bangladesh     55 

The series in India (4 tests in total) and Bangladesh (just 2 tests) resume later this week.