Cricket World Ratings 4th June 2023

The last time Irleand played England at Lords they very nearly grabbed a sensatonal win, before collapsing in their final innings. This time, they were walloped in the opening stages, and a spirited fightback couldn't prevent yet another defeat.  It's tough, trying to make it as a new team in test cricket; and so far, Ireland have had little in the way of encouragement from their results. My world ratings are based on comparing actual results to those expected from past form, and Ireland's defeat, heavily predicted, thus has had almost no effect on the table:

1. Australia     239
   
2. India         222   
3. England       222  
4. South Africa  163    
5. New Zealand   154
   
6. Pakistan       53 
7. Sri Lanka      43 
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -149           
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -303 
    
12. Ireland      -349  -1

There is an update in the offical ratings to report as well,not based on this result, but a result of the way those ratings have fixed time periods built in, leading to periodic alterations.  This one acually makes the two lists less consistent, promoting India above Australia at the top of the list, although giving belated credit to England for their strong recent results.

1. India         121 +3
   
2. Australia     116 -6
3. England       114 +8
   
4. South Africa  104
5. New Zealand   100 -3
6. Pakistan       86 -2
7. Sri Lanka      84
   
8. West Indies    76 
   
9. Bangladesh     45 -1
10. Zimbabwe       32 +5

Next week, we'll get specific insight into the question as to which of the top two are really the best in the world, as the two sides meet in the world test championship final.  Last time out, India lost to New Zealand: can they do better at the second attempt?