Cricket World Ratings 26th February 2024

It's hard for visiting teams to win in India.  England won their first game on their current tour; had a chance in their second, and were on top for most of the fourth.  But with one game still to play, the home side have secured their victory.  My world ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     240 
2. India         238 +15 
3. England       196 -16
4. New Zealand   163
5. South Africa  122 
6. Pakistan       81  
   
7. Sri Lanka      -2    
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -117            
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -313   
    
12. Ireland      -349

Before the series concludes, Ireland travel to Afghanistan; and Australia begin a potentially challenging two match series in New Zealand.

Cricket World Ratings 18th February 2024

When England last toured India, they won the first test, only to go down to four successively more decisive defeats. Now playing a very different style of cricket, history may nonetheless be repeating itself: they won the first test, lost a competitive second test, and have been slaughtered in the third.  Their victory in the first game briefly saw them go top of my world ratings; but the boot is on the other foot now.  Meanwhile, New Zealand have completed a 2-0 home win against their visitors South Africa.  My world ratings now look like this:

1. Australia     240 
2. India         223 +18 
3. England       212 -17
4. New Zealand   163 +15
5. South Africa  122 -15
6. Pakistan       81  
   
7. Sri Lanka      -2    
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -117            
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -313   
    
12. Ireland      -349

The fourth test in India starts next week.

Cricket World Ratings 9th February 2024

England begun their recent tour of India with a shock win; however, India has equalled the series after their second match. Two other recent games also ended in home wins: Sri Lanka defeating Afghanistan in a one-off test, and New Zealand worsting South Africa. England's brief run in first place in my world ratings has thus come to a prompt end, with the latest list as follows:

1. Australia     240  
2. England       229 -21
3. India         205 +21   
4. New Zealand   148 +18
5. South Africa  138 -18
6. Pakistan       81  
   
7. Sri Lanka      -2  +3  
8. West Indies   -20      
   
9. Bangladesh   -117            
   
10. Zimbabwe     -277     
    
11. Afghanistan  -313  -3  
    
12. Ireland      -349

The official ratings have meanwhile been adjusted to take account of West Indies drawn series in Australia:

1. Australia     117 -1
   
2. India         117
   
3. England       115
   
4. South Africa  106 
5. New Zealand    95 
6. Pakistan       89 -3
   
7. West Indies    81 +4
   
8. Sri Lanka      79 
   
9. West Indies    77  
   
10. Bangladesh     51 
11. Zimbabwe       32 
12. Afghanistan    10
13. Ireland         0
    

I'm not quite sure of the cause is of the apparent fall in Pakistan's ranking.  Next week, the series in India and New Zealand resume.