Cricket World Ratings 29th December 2023

The year in test cricket has ended with two home victories: for Australia against Pakistan (they now lead the series 2-0), and, more one-sidedly (and surprisingly so), for South Africa against India.  My cricket world ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     271  +7
2. England       224
3. India         183 -19
   
4. South Africa  182 +19    
5. New Zealand   130
   
6. Pakistan       87  -7
   
7. Sri Lanka      -5  
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -117            
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -310   
    
12. Ireland      -349

India still lead the offical ratings, but in mine, they've were knocked off the top in March, and I expect the official ratings to eventually follow. Given they also lost a home world cup to Australia in this period, it must be galling! Both current series resume (and conclude) early next year.

Cricket World Ratings 18th December 2023

After a long interval featuring the 50-over World Cup (won by Australia) test match cricket has resumed.  Bangldesh won a rare test at home to New Zealand, before the visitors squared the series; and Australia have just followed on from their one-day success by walloping their visitors Pakistan in the first test of this series.  My cricket world ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     264  +7
2. England       224
3. India         202
4. South Africa  163    
5. New Zealand   130 -24
   
6. Pakistan       94  -7
   
7. Sri Lanka      -5  
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -117 +25            
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -310   
    
12. Ireland      -349

The official ratings don't yet include results from Australia, but have shifted as follows:

1. India         118
   
2. Australia     118
3. England       115
   
4. South Africa  104
5. New Zealand    95 -5
6. Pakistan       92
7. Sri Lanka      79 
   
8. West Indies    77  
   
9. Bangladesh     51 +5
10. Zimbabwe       32

The Australian series resumes on Christmas Day; the following day, India begin a potentially tough tour of South Africa.