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Proving it’s dominance again on the global front, the India national cricket team preserved it’s No. 1 position in the team rankings for Tests. England retained its top position in the team rankings for ODIs.
The rankings took place after the annual update in which series results from 2015-16 are no more a part of calculations, and outcomes from 2016-17 and 2017-18 are weighted at 50 percent.
In the ICC Team Rankings, India’s lead over New Zealand has narrowed from eight to two points with England at the top of the ICC ODI Team Rankings. Now the gap between England and India has reduced to just two points in an expanded table.
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Considering the Test rankings, India had 116 points and New Zealand had 108 before the update. India’s 3-0 win over South Africa and a 2-1 win in Sri Lanka were removed as part of the 2015-16 season which made India lose three points. On the other hand, New Zealand’s two 2-0 defeats to Australia being removed made them earn three points. Thereby the difference between India and New Zealand reduced.
The only position changes on the table include England, who surpassed Australia to the fourth position with 105 points. Australia won four of the five series in 2015-16 which are no more a part of the calculations. Therefore, Australia is left with 98 points after losing six points.
Another gap reduced is between seventh-placed Pakistan and eight placed West Indies from 11 to 2 points.
England have clinched the first position in ODI Rankings. However, to enter the World Cup as the top-ranked side, they will have to beat Ireland in the upcoming one-off ODI followed by the beating of Pakistan by a margin of 3-2 or better at home. Losing to Ireland followed by beating of Pakistan by 4-1 or more would also do.
In the rankings, no team has dropped out of the top 10, thus the World Cup will see the 10 top-ranked sides in action.
Three out of four teams awarded ODI status at the end of the World Cricket League Division 2 will get to join the rankings after playing the necessary eight qualifying matches.
However, PNG is going to join the rankings now itself as they played several ODIs prior to April 2018. The Netherlands already has ODI status, will have to play two more ODIs to join the rankings. The ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings’ annual update will be made on May 3.
