In the ICC men’s Test team rankings, Australia has maintained their lead, while India and New Zealand have maintained their top positions in the T20I and ODI rankings, respectively.
The ICC’s annual report includes all series that have been completed since May 2019. Series played before May 20, 2021 are now weighted 50%, and subsequent series are weighted 100%.
ICC rankings for Test
Following a 4-0 thumping of England in the home Ashes series at the turn of the year and a 1-0 win in Pakistan, Australia increased their lead over second-placed India in the Test rankings to nine points. They presently have a total of 128 points.
India has gained a point to move to 119, and England’s 4-1 series win over India in 2018 has been removed from the rankings, putting them at 88 points, their lowest point total since 1995. After the completion of the fifth and final Test slated for July, England’s home series against India, which began in 2021, will be included in the rankings.
ICC Rankings for ODI
Meanwhile, England has done well in the ODI rankings, closing the gap from three to one point behind leaders New Zealand (125 points) after winning the World Cup Super League with 55 points after defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 and Pakistan 3-0, both series at home.
After Australia dropped five points, the margin between England and third-placed Australia (107) has widened to 17 points. Despite winning two of three matches against the West Indies, Australia lost two of their three matches in Pakistan. Pakistan (105) moved up one spot to fifth place, displacing South Africa and closing the gap with India (102) to three points.
ICC Rankings for T20
Considering the ICC T20 rankings, India tops the chart with 270 points, having a lead of 5 points from the 2nd placed England. Pakistan is in third place. South Africa and Australia have moved up to the fourth and fifth place, respectively.
While New Zealand dropped two spots to No. 6 & the West Indies remained in seventh place. Since May 2019, each club has been forced to play a minimum of six rated matches, bringing the total number of ranked teams down to 72 from 91.
Thus, the rankings will take a major hit after the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played later this year.
