Cricket World Ratings 31st July 2023

Australia have retained the Ashes.  They took a 2-0 lead against England, but the hosts fought back to draw overall, and were probably denied a victory in the 4th test by rain. All 4 of the results came in close games, marked by the sharp contrast in styles between the two sides. Elsewhere, Pakistan have won twice in Sri Lanka, while West Indies lost and then drew at home to India for zero net effect on the two team's ratings.  Overall, my ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     257 -22
2. England       224 +21
3. India         202
4. South Africa  163    
5. New Zealand   154
   
6. Pakistan      101 +48
   
7. Sri Lanka      -5 -48 
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -142             
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -310   
    
12. Ireland      -349

The official ratings look similar, only differing in the relative placement of India compared to England and Australia. Their latest update also takes into account Bangladesh's win over Afghanistan earlier in the summer for the first time:

1. India         118 -3
   
2. Australia     118 +2
3. England       115 +1
   
4. South Africa  104
5. New Zealand   100
6. Pakistan       92 +6
7. Sri Lanka      79 -5
   
8. West Indies    77 +1 
   
9. Bangladesh     46 +1
10. Zimbabwe       32

And now there's a break: with a 50 over world cup imminent, there's no more test cricket due until December.