I just happened to run into this link which provides historical Test Rankings for All teams calculated retroactively using the current formula but based on past results since 1952 ( 64 yrs !! )
The results are pretty surprising
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_Test_Championship#Historical_rankings
I cannot believe that Pakistan was No.1 for only a period of 2 months (Aug-Sep 1988 ) and SAF only 2 months more than India (Despite the 20 year absence)
The results are pretty surprising
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_Test_Championship#Historical_rankings
Code:
Months Highest Rating
Australia 321 143
West Indies 235 135
England 106 125
South Africa 48 135
India 46 130
Pakistan 2 110
I cannot believe that Pakistan was No.1 for only a period of 2 months (Aug-Sep 1988 ) and SAF only 2 months more than India (Despite the 20 year absence)