Cricket World Ratings 9th July 2023

Before the Ashes, 15 of the previous 16 tests has ended in a victory; and only 2 of those had been won by a margin on less than 80 runs or 6 wickets. Granted, one of the exceptions was New Zealand's record breaking 1-run victory over England; but the basic fact is that a lot of test match cricket is pretty one sided. But England and Australia have now played three really close, pulsating test matches; and England's victory in game three, following two narrow defeats, keeps the series alive. My world ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     279 -25
2. England       203 +26
3. India         202
4. South Africa  163    
5. New Zealand   154
   
6. Pakistan       53 
7. Sri Lanka      43 
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -142             
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -310   
    
12. Ireland      -349

The next match in this thrilling (though often tactically perplexing) series starts on the 19th July.