Australia on brink of Test rankings slide

[jeetu]

The third-ranked Aussies could slip to fifth with a loss in the third Test against South Africa in Adelaide

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/aust...england-india-pakistan-steve-smith/2016-11-15

Australia are on the verge of dropping out of the top-four of the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings for the first time since 2013.

South Africa completed a resounding 2-0 series victory over Steve Smith’s men in Hobart on Tuesday. The hosts lost 8-32 in their second innings to crumble to an innings defeat in the second Test, which follows on from their 177-run loss in the series-opener in Perth.

Regardless of the result of the dead rubber day-night Test in Adelaide beginning November 24, Australia will squander third spot in the rankings to England when the ICC’s Test rankings are updated following their three Test series against the Proteas.

Should Steve Smith’s men lose the pink ball encounter and suffer a second consecutive 3-0 series whitewash, Australia will be leap-frogged by South Africa and fall out of the top-four for the first time in over three years.

Australia last dropped out of the top-four following their 4-0 series loss to India in 2013, a tour mainly remembered for the ‘homework-gate’ saga, and their subsequent away Ashes series defeat at the hands of England.

But they soon bounced back to the No.1 spot in March 2014 after resounding victories in the 2013-14 home Ashes and then the ensuing away Test series in South Africa.

Smith received the ICC Test mace for clinching the No.1 ranking for the first time under in his tenure as captain in February this year after Australia’s series win in New Zealand.

But Australia were dethroned in August following their disappointing 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka, with India and Pakistan rising above them.

Australia now face a tough road back to the top of the Test rankings, with a three-Test series against No.2 ranked Pakistan beginning next month, before traveling to India for a four-Test tour.

Virat Kohli’s side are the current No.1 Test team but could be overtaken by England, who drew the first Test against India in Rajkot, if they fail to prevail over Alastair Cook’s side.

Pakistan too could ascend to No.1 in the coming months should they secure series wins against New Zealand, where they begin a two-Test tour on Thursday, and Australia this summer.

 

[jeetu]

[table=width: 500, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Rank [/td][td]Team [/td][td]Matches [/td][td]Points [/td][td]Rating [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1 [/td][td]India [/td][td]29 [/td][td]3328 [/td][td]115 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2 [/td][td]Pakistan [/td][td]29 [/td][td]3151 [/td][td]109 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3 [/td][td]Australia [/td][td]36 [/td][td]3905 [/td][td]108 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]4 [/td][td]England [/td][td]44 [/td][td]4631 [/td][td]105 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]5 [/td][td]South Africa [/td][td]25 [/td][td]2412 [/td][td]96 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]6 [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][td]35 [/td][td]3370 [/td][td]96 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]7 [/td][td]New Zealand [/td][td]35 [/td][td]3189 [/td][td]91 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]8 [/td][td]West Indies [/td][td]30 [/td][td]2077 [/td][td]69 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]9 [/td][td]Bangladesh [/td][td]15 [/td][td]978 [/td][td]65 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]10 [/td][td]Zimbabwe [/td][td]10 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

 

[anuk]

Somehow Sri Lanka and South Africa have the same number of points

 

[anuk]

or rather, sl and sa have the same rating.

what do they mean by points?

 

[Xoib]

Australia will unleash on Pakistan

Very rarely has Australia had a slump that extends to three series. Heads have rolled after this debacle and I feel Pakistan will feel the wrath from the Aussies I know sounds pessimistic but I don't see Aus having 3 poor series in a row.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Like England unleashed on Oval after your thread?

Maybe Pakistan can spring a surprise this time. Who knows.

The signs are good for Pakistan. They would still start as under-dogs but Aussies are super vulnerable right now.

I would like to see how Pakistan go in NZ before forming any judgement.

 

[Suleiman]

Yeah few Pak fans are getting excited at the prospect in another thread. This will still be an uphill battle for us. We don't have pacers of the quality of Rabada, Kyle and an AR like Philly.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Yeah few Pak fans are getting excited at the prospect in another thread. This will still be an uphill battle for us. We don't have pacers of the quality of Rabada, Kyle and an AR like Philly.

True but Aussie batsmen have been batting like super lulloos.

So kinda tough to predict the Aus vs Pak series.

 

[Xoib]

Like England unleashed on Oval after your thread?

Maybe Pakistan can spring a surprise this time. Who knows.

The signs are good for Pakistan. They would still start as under-dogs but Aussies are super vulnerable right now.

I would like to see how Pakistan go in NZ before forming any judgement.

there will be an overhaul laloos likes Voges Meannie, Burns will be shown the door likes of Warner, Smith,Starc, Hazelwood will be hurting Aussies are a proud cricketing nation and they very rarely struggle in their home summer. Expect bouncy pattas through the Pakistan series as Hobart has haunted them now.

 

[Xoib]

Nice try to anti-jinx Pakistan [MENTION=6243]Xoib[/MENTION]

nah not really an Australian tour has been our bogey for decades Imran only away series defeat was in Australia its never been our happy hunting ground in test cricket I am just trying to show reality to fellow ppers who are suddenly super cocky after this debacle.

 

[Hasan123]

Australia vs Pakistan will be a good series it seems. On a road it's anyone game. On a bouncy track we maybe vulnerable

 

[street cricketer]

nah not really an Australian tour has been our bogey for decades Imran only away series defeat was in Australia its never been our happy hunting ground in test cricket I am just trying to show reality to fellow ppers who are suddenly super cocky after this debacle.

And why would they not be. Surely you can never be cocky against any Australian side, least of all when you're facing them in their den. But this is one of the greatest sides of Pakistan while it's the complete opposite for Australia. Logic should indicate that this will be a very competitive series.

In fact, Pakistan have a good chance of entering Australia as the favourites (if they win at NZ while Australia get whitewashed). But Pakistan always perform better when they are least expected to do so, so they would probably like the limelight be away from them.

 

[Convict]

Shows how irrelevant rankings are if Australia are 3rd

 

[Xoib]

And why would they not be. Surely you can never be cocky against any Australian side, least of all when you're facing them in their den. But this is one of the greatest sides of Pakistan while it's the complete opposite for Australia. Logic should indicate that this will be a very competitive series.

In fact, Pakistan have a good chance of entering Australia as the favourites (if they win at NZ while Australia get whitewashed). But Pakistan always perform better when they are least expected to do so, so they would probably like the limelight be away from them.

What I see here is people are underestimating Australia here they have Warner,Khawaja,Smith,Starc,Hazelwood,Lyon that is 6 quality players for home conditions all Australia need is a better supporting act then likes of Voges and Meannie and they will be back to be formidable I just don't like some ppers are just discounting the side calling them weakest side ever.

 

[Mamoon]

Very rarely has Australia had a slump that extends to three series. Heads have rolled after this debacle and I feel Pakistan will feel the wrath from the Aussies I know sounds pessimistic but I don't see Aus having 3 poor series in a row.

I agree. We were going to lose anyway but this might make Australia extra motivated and we might see proper flat wickets with pace and bounce on which they are almost unbeatable.

People are delusional if they think we can win or even draw this series.

 

[hadi123]

I agree. We were going to lose anyway but this might make Australia extra motivated and we might see proper flat wickets with pace and bounce on which they are almost unbeatable.

People are delusional if they think we can win or even draw this series.

I disagree. Australia's team morale right now is very low, this is our best chance to beat Australia in Australia, will definitely be easier than playing England in England was and we came away from that series with a 2-2 draw and the number 1 ranking

 

[Buffet]

So some PPers would have preferred Aus winning series and going confident against Pakistan?

No matter how you look, it's always better to play a team doing badly and low in confidence.

 

[Buffet]

Shows how irrelevant rankings are if Australia are 3rd

I think, series results are not taken into account yet.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Let them come to Bangladesh next year,decline is on the card for sure.

 

[Syed1]

Shows how irrelevant rankings are if Australia are 3rd

Rankings have an in-built inertia. You don't fall from 3 to 8 by losing one or two series. It takes consistently bad performance to slip and slide, and consequently it takes years of hardwork to get to number 1 or 2. Unless you are the richest board out there and can just play 90% of your matches at home.

 

[Abdullah719]

Rankings have an in-built inertia. You don't fall from 3 to 8 by losing one or two series. It takes consistently bad performance to slip and slide, and consequently it takes years of hardwork to get to number 1 or 2. Unless you are the richest board out there and can just play 90% of your matches at home.

Australia will fall to fifth if they are whitewashed.

 

[idrizzy]

I agree. We were going to lose anyway but this might make Australia extra motivated and we might see proper flat wickets with pace and bounce on which they are almost unbeatable.

People are delusional if they think we can win or even draw this series.

Didn't you say the same thing when we toured England?

 

[idrizzy]

So some PPers would have preferred Aus winning series and going confident against Pakistan?

No matter how you look, it's always better to play a team doing badly and low in confidence.

Exactly. It's almost as if people expect Aus to just bounce back and whitewash Pakistan when in fact form is a gradual change in performance. Same thing as in other sports: Man Utd drew 0-0 against Burnley at home but because performances can only get better, they'll come out hungry and not look to be embarrassed like that again, especially against such a weak side.

They lost 2-1 to Fenerbarce the next game.

There's too much of 'Aus will come out stronger' rather than 'Aus are looking really poor' in this moment.

 

[Kaka4pope]

Pakistan should be very confident going to Australia, although historically its proved a very tough assignment.

Simply, Pakistan have good players, who have formed a good unit and, in my opinion, one that can get even more cohesive and sophisticated under the current leadership (in the context of Pakistan cricket at least).

Smith is good batsman, Warner too as he bats so aggressively. However, we have a much stronger 1-7, four of them were centurions in England, Aslam batted strongly, Sarfraz quickly and Babar looks the right man to stake a claim for the 6 position.

We have a better wicket keeper who works in tandem with a top leggy, who is for me the more dangerous of the sides' two spinners.

its the pace attack where things, by my reckoning, are probably even if anything. Amir, whether the old Amir or not, is still the most skillful bowler of the two sides. Watching his bowling in England again, he resorted to cleaning people up after countless drops. and WE ALL KNOW, wickets tend to lead to more wickets...Watching Philander and Abbot shows good signs for Sohail Khan too and he enjoys the bounce too. Wahab, will be Wahab and when its right, it's very right.

So all in all, I expect us to perform better than in England, against a side who look to have more troubles. It won't be easy, it's not supposed to be BUT we have a good crop of players...

 

[cricketInsight]

Australia fall in ranking is not good for Pakistan - it means Pakistan will drop points even if we manage to draw the series.

Also, Australia will be that much more motivated to stage a comeback.

 

[The_Odd_One]

So some PPers would have preferred Aus winning series and going confident against Pakistan?

No matter how you look, it's always better to play a team doing badly and low in confidence.

Had Australia won this series, the same people would have said that this Australian team is so good that they would demolish Pakistani team which is weaker than SA team in those conditions.

I would gladly take this dejected Australian team as an opposition rather than a confident one.

 

[Syed1]

Had Australia won this series, the same people would have said that this Australian team is so good that they would demolish Pakistani team which is weaker than SA team in those conditions.

I would gladly take this dejected Australian team as an opposition rather than a confident one.

Exactly, I think purposely putting down your side is a common coping mechanism employed by Pakistani fans so that they do not get too disheartened if we lose.

 

[On_the_up]

Pakistan will never have a better chance to win in Australia. Its a question of belief now. Micky Arthur will be itching to get one over his old paymasters. I just hope he can create a relaxed atmosphere for the players to shine in and not a heart on his sleeve/showing frustration demeanour when things aren't going as planned.

 

[idrizzy]

Pakistan should be very confident going to Australia, although historically its proved a very tough assignment.

Simply, Pakistan have good players, who have formed a good unit and, in my opinion, one that can get even more cohesive and sophisticated under the current leadership (in the context of Pakistan cricket at least).

Smith is good batsman, Warner too as he bats so aggressively. However, we have a much stronger 1-7, four of them were centurions in England, Aslam batted strongly, Sarfraz quickly and Babar looks the right man to stake a claim for the 6 position.

We have a better wicket keeper who works in tandem with a top leggy, who is for me the more dangerous of the sides' two spinners.

its the pace attack where things, by my reckoning, are probably even if anything. Amir, whether the old Amir or not, is still the most skillful bowler of the two sides. Watching his bowling in England again, he resorted to cleaning people up after countless drops. and WE ALL KNOW, wickets tend to lead to more wickets...Watching Philander and Abbot shows good signs for Sohail Khan too and he enjoys the bounce too. Wahab, will be Wahab and when its right, it's very right.

So all in all, I expect us to perform better than in England, against a side who look to have more troubles. It won't be easy, it's not supposed to be BUT we have a good crop of players...

Australias' quicks are far better than ours. Other than that I do feel our batting is better as they're hugely off form.

I don't expect us to be better than England, I just hope we face and handle Starc in a much better way we handled Woakes. He single handedly won Eng 2 games and we can't let that happen in Aus. If we can mitigate his threat then we could very much so win.

 

[Mamoon]

Didn't you say the same thing when we toured England?

I have said many things in the past. Some came out to be true, some did not. However, that does not deter me from expressing my views. One should not hold back just because it might not turn out to be true. The worst that will happen is what? A few people will remind you that you were not accurate in your assessment. So?

However, I do hope that much like the England series, the Australian series turns out to be different to what I expect, but I don't see it due to multiple reasons.

Firstly, unlike England, Australian conditions have always been unforgiving for us. If the pitch is not green and/or the sky is not overcast, English pitches are good to bat on for Pakistan because there is not enough pace and bounce to trouble us.

We got two such wickets in Lord's and The Oval and we took full advantage of it. However in Australia, the flat tricks are quicker with more bounce. Azhar has improved against short-pitched bowling, but most of our batsmen are quite poor when it comes to pulling and hooking the ball.

People here like to ignorantly dismiss Kohli's mountain of runs in Australia two years, but they fail to realize that he scored the vast majority of his runs pulling and hooking the ball. He took on deliveries that our batsmen don't have the capacity to attack.

In addition, this is a series Australia simply cannot afford to lose. Losing both home series in a summer will be a nightmare. In terms of preparation and curating the pitch, I feel that they will leave no stone unturned. They know that the only major threat for them in terms of bowling is Yasir. We like to talk up our pace attack, but the truth is that our pacers are hacks and not fit enough to polish the shoes of South African pacers. It is a massively overrated pace attack.

People except Wahab to knock Australia's heads off, but that tactic almost never works in Australia. Bounce does not trouble them and neither does raw pace. After all, the fastest pacer in the world is in their team. What troubles their batsmen is a persisting, nagging line and length. After spinners on turning pitches, accurate bowlers is their biggest nightmare.

Australia is not going to field 11 Watsons. Wahab with his wayward bouncers and his version of sledging (the useless clapping at the batsman) is not going to give them sleepless nights.

Australian batsmen, even the struggling ones, are actually very skilled. However, their skill is geared towards putting bat on ball. They feast on bowlers who are not disciplined. Bowlers like Rahat and Wahab are ideal for them. They might take a wicket or two here and there with a ripper, but they will not be able to back the Australian batsmen in a corner like Rabada and Philander. Apart from day 1 of the 1st Test, they have hardly bowled 2-3 poor overs on the trot and that is why Australia's batting has fallen apart.

If you don't give Australian batsmen a shot every over, they will manufacture them. Playing the patient game is not their style, except Smith to an extent. Almost all of their batsmen have fallen to playing shots on deliveries they should have left alone.

Amir and Sohail potentially can do that job, but Amir has not shown any real wicket-taking ability while Sohail doesn't have the fitness to run in all day like Rabada.

Pakistan did really well in England but certain things went their way. We got two flat pitches in the late summer unlike Sri Lanka early in May, and the injuries to Anderson and Stoke hampered England as well. Anderson was in imperious form vs Sri Lanka but because of his shoulder which is still troubling him, his pace was down.

If certain things go Pakistan's way, maybe who knows, but personally I don't see any other result but an Australian win.