Cricket World Ratings 19th February 2023

February has seen quite a lot of test cricket.  West Indies went to Zimbabwe, and were held to a draw in the first test, although they managed to win the second.  India, with home advantage, have twice beaten Australia; had the visitors managed to win, this would have been a major argument in favour of Australia's claim to be the best team in the world right now (a claim my rankings have been supportive of, but it's been close) -but instead the home side secured a win.  The third team who have been vying for the top spot, England, have meanwhile continued their fine run over the past year by winning in New Zealand, but India now sit in pole position.  The other interesting observeration is how far New Zealand have fallen; in 2021, they won the innaugaral world test championship and led the ratings with a score of 260, but it;s been harder going since then.

1. India         258 +31 
2. England       248 +19 
3. Australia     204 -31  
   
4. South Africa  149  
5. New Zealand   106 -19
   
6. Sri Lanka      62
7. Pakistan       53      
8. West Indies    -6  -3    
   
9. Bangladesh   -155          
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277  +3    
    
11. Afghanistan  -303 
    
12. Ireland      -339

The most up-to-date version of the official rankings looks like this:

1. Australia     126 -4 
   
2. India         115 
3. England       107
4. South Africa  102 -2
5. New Zealand    99 -1
   
6. Pakistan       88 +2
7. Sri Lanka      88 +5
8. West Indies    78 -1
9. Bangladesh     46 -2 
   
10. Zimbabwe       27 +2

The lastest results from India and New Zealand don't contribute to these scores, which are updated on series as opposed to match results (and neither series is yet complete). A third series will start before the end of the month, with South Africa hosting the West Indies.