ICC Test Rankings Updated

The 2009 results have now been wiped away, it means England's rating has shot up from 116 to 122 and they remain in 1st. South Africa slip to 3rd, their rating has decreased from 116 to 113 but they will still get to No.1 if they beat England this summer. Elsewhere, Australia's rating has increased by 4 and bumps them up to 2nd, Pakistan have overtaken India in the rankings and New Zealand have overtaken the Windies.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/current/page/211271.html
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/572410.html

People will say that "its ridiculous that Australia are 2nd and SA 1st".

But a look at South Africa's results suggests why. Whilst they haven't suffered any major reversals like England's in the UAE and India's in England and Australia, they haven't exactly been firing on all cylinders in their last five series - 0-0 in the UAE, 1-1 at home v India, 1-1 at home v Australia, 2-1 at home v Sri Lanka, 1-0 in New Zealand. In that time Australia have lost the Ashes 3-1, but since beaten Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka,drawn with South Africa away 1-1, drawn 1-1 with NZ, beaten India 4-0 and beaten West Indies 2-0.

Thats really interesting, because on paper SA a very very strong side.

Its also ruined my second best team in the world stats <grumpy face>

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Thats really interesting, because on paper SA a very very strong side.

Its also ruined my second best team in the world stats <grumpy face>

South Africa do have a capacity to collectively take their eye off the ball from time to time. Having said that I'd say that, at least on paper (and probably on grass), they are the second best side, even if, as I say, their results show why they aren't ranked there.

They've also drawn or unconvincingly won a lot of series that they've bossed - India in 10/11 being the prime example, where they were shocking at Kingsmead but dominant elsewhere.

One of SA's problems have been how little test cricket they have played, there were twice gaps of almost 11 months where they didn't play test cricket and then went into test series unprepared, you cannot retain form if you don't spend time in the middle.

But they also do have their problems with some positions, they short an opener, they need one proper middle order batsman as Prince and Rudolph doesn't cut it, and then they still don't have a proper spinner.

How on earth Australia is No.2? OK, they had a few wins in the last cycle but they look far from a successful 'No. 2' team, imo.

India in 5th place is pleasing to the eye; however they should pick up some points against NZ in Aug-Sept. Then their biggest challenge will be against England when they play 4 Tests at home in Nov-Dec.

Biltong, I thought there was a SA-Oz series later in the year... before you play NZ? It doesn't seem to be on the ICC Calendar yet.

Isn't the Oz tour in December?

According to this you play NZ in Dec-Jan and Pakistan in Jan-March.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/current/match/fixtures_futures.html

biltongbek wrote:Isn't the Oz tour in December?

I think SA play Aus in November-ish. Certainly before Xmas as SA wouldn't jeopardize their own Xmas Tests by being in Aus. They then went ahead and scheduled a T20 on Boxing Day

I don't think India should be terribly underestimated - they play 10 home Tests between August and February/March - 2 v NZ, 4 v England and 4 v Australia, and could roar back up the rankings if they go well. On the other hand if they lose to England the wheels might have really come off by the time Australia arrive.

The Australia home series (v South Africa and Sri Lanka) haven't had their exact dates announced.

have to say i dont pay much attention the rankings, as half the time they dont make any sense....we all know saffers are 2nd best team in the world....

CF wrote:have to say i dont pay much attention the rankings, as half the time they dont make any sense....we all know saffers are 2nd best team in the world....

Based on results, no they're not.