The number of draws in international cricket has been in sharp decline in recent years, but the new year has started with two of them, South Africa drawing a rain-affected match in Australia, while Pakistan and New Zealand played a close game in which all four results were possible right down to the wire. The effect on my world ratings is as follows:
- Australia 235 -12
- England 229
- India 227
- South Africa 149 +12
- New Zealand 125
- Sri Lanka 62
- Pakistan 53
- West Indies -3
- Bangladesh -155
- Zimbabwe -280
- Afghanistan -303
- Ireland -339
Again, I note that my system predicts almost an exact 50% success rate for both teams when a home side entertains vistors with a 77 point advantage; so the draw in Pakistan makes no difference to the two teams' scores at integer resolution. Both series are now complete, but I'm still waiting for updates to the official ratings. The next test will be played in Zimbabwe, with the home side hosting a visit from the West Indies.
