World Cup 2019 team ranking vs ICC ODI Team Ranking

[xbronze]

Interestingly enough, the World cup 2019 team ranking and the latest ICC ODI Team Ranking align closely.

ICC ODI Team Ranking:

1. England
2. India
3. Australia
4. New Zealand

5. South Africa
6. Pakistan
7. Bangladesh
8. Sri Lanka

9. West Indies
10. Afghanistan

World Cup 2019 team ranking:

1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4. New Zealand

5. Pakistan
6. Sri Lanka
7. South Africa
8. Bangladesh

9. West Indies
10. Afghanistan

Some Observations:

1. The 10 teams can be broken into three distinct groups/tiers

2. Tier 1 on either list comprises the same 4 teams (India, England, Australia, NZ) that have incidentally also qualified for the semi finals.

3. The bottom group/Tier 3 group comprises two team (West Indies and Afghanistan).
4. WI and AFG occupy the same position (9 and 10) in either list.

5. Tier two includes 4 teams - South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.

6. The ranking of these 4 teams within this second tier/group varies between the two lists. However these four teams occupy the middle tier (positions 5 to 8) in both lists.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Despite criticisms of rain curtailment and the 'all teams play all other teams' approach, the team ranking in the world cup closely match the ICC ODI team rankings.

2. The four teams that have qualified for the semi finals are the very 4 teams that also top the ICC ODI rankings.

3. The close alignment of team rankings in the two lists, actually offers credibility to the ICC ODI rankings.

4. It also validates the way ICC world cup matches have been planned (despite rain related cancellations), as the final points table rankings do largely match the ICC ODI rankings.

5. A big area of concern is the decline of West Indies cricket, as the team languishes in the third tier at the very bottom on both lists, at position 9, just above Afghanistan. Both the rankings (World cup points and ICC ODI ranking) confirm the 'minnow' status for West Indies.

6. The second tier (comprising South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) also calls for interesting conclusions. Bangladesh has finally established itself as a non-minnow and is now at par with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa.

7. Pakistan Cricket Board must take serious note of the low ranking for Pak team and spur itself to action. West Indies is a prime example of what could happen when a decline is left unchecked.

8. Barring the minnow/ex-minnow (Afghanistan / Bangladesh) who are on an upward trajectory actually, the other teams in the 2nd and 3rd tiers (Pakistan, WI, South Africa, Sri Lanka) are there possibly because of political or board related issues [for example, Pakistan - lack of adequate international cricket with top nations, West Indies - intermittent/internecine issues between their players and administration, Sri Lanka - retirement of top cricketers in quick succession].

9. Instead of criticizing the WC 2019 points table or the ICC ODI ranking, it is perhaps time for the fans and cricket boards to introspect and think of remedial actions.

 

[sweep_shot]

Yes. World Cup table and actual ODI ranking table match.

Only difference is South Africa is possibly #5 and not #7. Also, I feel that BD is #7 and SL is #8.

Other than that, pretty spot on.

 

[Abdullah]

I don't think you can say that NZ belong to tier 1, more like tier 2

 

[Bhaijaan]

NZ isn’t tier 2 material, if they don’t win the World Cup they would be considered a waste of space in the semis because Pakistan was so much better

 

[Ab Fan]

Tier-1:-

India
Australia
England

Tier-2:-

New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Tier-3:-

Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
West Indies

Tier-4:-

Afghanistan
Ireland

That is the correct metric for team's current rankings.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Tier-1:-

India
Australia
England

Tier-2:-

New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Tier-3:-

Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
West Indies

Tier-4:-

Afghanistan
Ireland

That is the correct metric for team's current rankings.

Yes, that is exactly what it actually is.

 

[Ab Fan]

South Africa had a poor World Cup but that doesn't mean they don't even belong to tier-2. We saw how ruthlessly they defeated Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and came over top on Australia, also having close encounters vs Kiwis and Pakistan.

They have a good team although unlikely they will get to tier-1 so easily. Will stay at tier-2 alongside Kiwis and Pakistan.

 

[Sidilicious]

Tier-1:-

India
Australia
England

Tier-2:-

New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Tier-3:-

Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
West Indies

Tier-4:-

Afghanistan
Ireland

That is the correct metric for team's current rankings.

Yes, that is exactly what it actually is.

Nah, its really the one from the OP.

Why? Because NZ has consistently beaten Pakistan in bilaterals and has just gotten ahead of Pakistan in the WC.

But, world cricket needs Pakistan and SA to join the top tier very soon again. And SL and Bang hopefully also get as close as possible. Cricket would be more exciting, when there is no such grouping and any team can beat the other.

 

[Ab Fan]

Nah, its really the one from the OP.

Why? Because NZ has consistently beaten Pakistan in bilaterals and has just gotten ahead of Pakistan in the WC.

But, world cricket needs Pakistan and SA to join the top tier very soon again. And SL and Bang hopefully also get as close as possible. Cricket would be more exciting, when there is no such grouping and any team can beat the other.

NZ have lost to Pakistan consistenly in World Cups and Champions Trophy as well. They have also lost consistently to SA in bilaterals. Remember,Pakistan did won the CT 2017. NZ haven't done anything as such. Hence, I will categorize the three at same level.

Among the semi finalists, NZ are looking a distant 4th and that is simply because they have failed to beat any top team, Australia, England and India and also lost to Pakistan in the process.

 

[Mamoon]

Some of our over-excitable posters jumped the gun and came to the conclusion that rankings when it comes to tournaments. Well, you will say that of course if you are a Pakistani supporter.

More often than not, a 6th ranked side will not be able to qualify for the semi-finals in such a format. We were not lucky - we got what we deserved for the level of cricket that we have played in the last 2 years.

 

[Sidilicious]

NZ have lost to Pakistan consistenly in World Cups and Champions Trophy as well. They have also lost consistently to SA in bilaterals. Remember,Pakistan did won the CT 2017. NZ haven't done anything as such. Hence, I will categorize the three at same level.

Among the semi finalists, NZ are looking a distant 4th and that is simply because they have failed to beat any top team, Australia, England and India and also lost to Pakistan in the process.

Couple of points
1. Before 2019, these two sides last met in a WC in 2011, where NZ won. Before that, it was 1999. In fact, if you look at the WC performance of both these sides NZ wins hands down over Pakistan in the millennium.
2003 - NZ make it to super 6, Pak do not
2007 - NZ make it to semis, Pak don't make it out of group
2011 - Both make it to semis
2015 - NZ finalists, Pak QF
2019 - NZ have at least made the semis, and PAk in the group

So, NZ are outperforming Pakistan in WC

2. Pak have won CT, so do NZ. Yes, it happened 2 decades back, but Pakistan hasn't finishes above NZ in WC in the last 2 decades

3. I agree that NZ look a distant 4th. But in the semis you never know. It needs 1 amazing spell, 1 amazing innings to change the outcome of a cricket match. So you never know who will win. And had Pakistan made it in place of NZ, they too would have been a distant 4th.

 

[pakistani pride]

Couple of points
1. Before 2019, these two sides last met in a WC in 2011, where NZ won. Before that, it was 1999. In fact, if you look at the WC performance of both these sides NZ wins hands down over Pakistan in the millennium.
2003 - NZ make it to super 6, Pak do not
2007 - NZ make it to semis, Pak don't make it out of group
2011 - Both make it to semis
2015 - NZ finalists, Pak QF
2019 - NZ have at least made the semis, and PAk in the group

So, NZ are outperforming Pakistan in WC

2. Pak have won CT, so do NZ. Yes, it happened 2 decades back, but Pakistan hasn't finishes above NZ in WC in the last 2 decades

3. I agree that NZ look a distant 4th. But in the semis you never know. It needs 1 amazing spell, 1 amazing innings to change the outcome of a cricket match. So you never know who will win. And had Pakistan made it in place of NZ, they too would have been a distant 4th.

When did NZ win the CT, do they even have a single ICC trophy?

 

[Sidilicious]

When did NZ win the CT, do they even have a single ICC trophy?

Beat India in the finals in 2000.

 

[Babbar]

Nah, its really the one from the OP.

Why? Because NZ has consistently beaten Pakistan in bilaterals and has just gotten ahead of Pakistan in the WC.

But, world cricket needs Pakistan and SA to join the top tier very soon again. And SL and Bang hopefully also get as close as possible. Cricket would be more exciting, when there is no such grouping and any team can beat the other.

World cricket does not need anyone to join top tier soon. World cricket was fine when there was no Pakistan and when South Africa banned. World cricket was fine when India was a minnow for decades.

But Pakistan needs to join top tier soon else Cricket in Pakistan will go the Hockey way. There will be no money and Pak cricketers will be taking paddle rickshaws from Home to Lahore Railway station to reach stadiums in other cities.

 

[Reverse Sweep]

We (NZ) won in 2000 in Kenya

 

[pakistani pride]

Beat India in the finals in 2000.

That must have been a good tourney. Never knew about it.
Dayuumm final could have been indo pak

 

[pakistani pride]

World cricket does not need anyone to join top tier soon. World cricket was fine when there was no Pakistan and when South Africa banned. World cricket was fine when India was a minnow for decades.

But Pakistan needs to join top tier soon else Cricket in Pakistan will go the Hockey way. There will be no money and Pak cricketers will be taking paddle rickshaws from Home to Lahore Railway station to reach stadiums in other cities.

Cricket will never die in Pakistan.

 

[Sidilicious]

Cricket will never die in Pakistan.

It might not die, but the fear is if Pakistan does not fix its domestic issues, then it will never be top tier. Even as an Indian, the only other team I followed this WC were Pakistan. Not because of any special love or interest for Pakistan. But because of the brand of cricket they play. If they remain a top tier, or at least close to top tier, then their cricket will not only be fun, but such results (CT2017 or nearly making it to the semis) will happen fairly often.

If they dont remain top tier and fall even further, then these results will be a one off.

 

[Hasan123]

The World Cup semis and final. A chance for one of the fab 4 to enhance their legacy even further.

It's no surprise to me the 4 teams left in the WC have the outstanding batters of this era. Which one of them will play a key part in helping their side win the World Cup and enhance their legacy?

I think Smith and Kohli are due big scores.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

None of the Fab 4 will have the biggest impact for their respective teams in terms of batting.

It will be:

Australia-David Warner
India-Rohit Sharma
England-Jason Roy
New Zealand-Ross Taylor

 

[geraltofrivia]

Fab 4 is a test term. Rohit is better than everyone else bar Kohli. Many are better than Smith - Warner, Ross, Buttler etc

 

[Ab Fan]

Couple of points
1. Before 2019, these two sides last met in a WC in 2011, where NZ won. Before that, it was 1999. In fact, if you look at the WC performance of both these sides NZ wins hands down over Pakistan in the millennium.
2003 - NZ make it to super 6, Pak do not
2007 - NZ make it to semis, Pak don't make it out of group
2011 - Both make it to semis
2015 - NZ finalists, Pak QF
2019 - NZ have at least made the semis, and PAk in the group

So, NZ are outperforming Pakistan in WC

2. Pak have won CT, so do NZ. Yes, it happened 2 decades back, but Pakistan hasn't finishes above NZ in WC in the last 2 decades

3. I agree that NZ look a distant 4th. But in the semis you never know. It needs 1 amazing spell, 1 amazing innings to change the outcome of a cricket match. So you never know who will win. <B>And had Pakistan made it in place of NZ, they too would have been a distant 4th.</B>

Well, there lies the answer. This is why I considered Pakistan and NZ in same tier. They would have been a distant 4th as well. So, both at same tier.

I ranked teams in terms of their current/recent rankings and performance. Current/recent means we can go to a 2-3 years period but not too far enough. No point going way back to 2011 WC or even 2015 WC.

SA regressed a bit in last couple of years after the de Villiers fiasco but they have also not gone too bad to slip down to tier-3. They still have some good players and will stay at Tier-2 which they proved by beating Australia and smashing Sri Lanka and Afghanistan comprehensively. However, there ain't any exceptional talent in SA right now or they haven't shown the ability to punch above weight to be considered a top tier.

 

[Hasan123]

Don't think South Africa and West Indies are bad as they have shown in this tournament.

 

[MenInG]

After seven weeks, 45 matches and plenty of standout performances with both the bat and ball, the four semi-finalists for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 have been confirmed.

On the face of it, the top four sides are as expected - with India, Australia England and New Zealand going into the tournament ranked the best four ODI teams in the world.

But as hosts England can attest to, the journey to reach the knockout stage has not been plain sailing for all of the sides that remain in contention to be crowned champions.

Australia will now continue the defence of their 2015 crown against England at Edgbaston, while India face New Zealand at Old Trafford in the other semi-final showdown.

And as the race to reach the tournament showpiece at Lord’s on 14 July draws to a close, here’s a look at the World Cup records of the four teams who are still in contention for silverware.

INDIA

The tag of being one of the favourites can weigh heavily on some - but India have shown no signs of being burdened by the pressure as they topped the standings after the round-robin stage.

India won seven of their nine games to finish at the summit, with their defeat to tournament hosts England the only blot on their record following a complete washout against New Zealand.

A seventh World Cup semi-final is the reward for their consistency and they will fancy their chances with the likes of skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah at their disposal.

You only have to go back to 2015 for the last time India were in the final four, before falling at the penultimate hurdle that year as they were knocked out by eventual champions Australia.

They also exited the tournament at the same stage in 1987 and 1996 - losing to England and Sri Lanka, respectively - in between their World Cup victories in 1983 and 2011.

Of the three finals they have contested, though, India have only finished runners-up once. They will also hope the omens are good, having also won their first World Cup on English soil.

AUSTRALIA

Despite arriving in England as the defending champions, Aaron Finch and his men found themselves in the unfamiliar position of not being considered frontrunners for the title.

With much of the pre-tournament hype focused around hosts England and India, Australia were still seen by many as a side still in transition as they slipped under the radar.

But if the history of the World Cup has taught us anything, it’s that Australia are serial winners and they were the first team to secure their qualification for the knockout stages in the 2019 edition.

Australia will contest the semi-finals for the eighth time and will do so safe in the knowledge that when they have reached the last four in the past, they have never missed out on the final.

And with five World Cup wins from 11 played, including a hat-trick of victories between 1999 and 2007, they unquestionably have the best pedigree of the sides left in the competition.

Finch now has the opportunity to join the illustrious names of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke by leading Australia to World Cup glory. Don’t bet against it.

ENGLAND

Coming into the tournament as hosts and the No.1 ODI side in the world, England have had to deal with high expectations in their bid to win their first-ever men’s World Cup.

The first objective of reaching the semi-final stages for first time since 1992 has been achieved, though, even if there were a few nerve-shredding moments along the way.

Eoin Morgan’s troops prevailed in their final two games against India and New Zealand to book their last four place, taking their overall group stage tally to six wins from nine games.

And while it has been 27 years since they last contested a World Cup semi-final, England do have plenty of experience of reaching this stage from when the competition was in its infancy.

England progressed to the semi-final stages in the first five editions of the tournament, only to see their challenge go no further in 1975 and 1983 - both times when they were the hosts.

But when they have reached the final - in 1979, 1987 and 1992 - England have finished runners-up to West Indies, Australia and Pakistan. This time the hosts will be hoping its fourth time lucky.

NEW ZEALAND

The round-robin stage could almost be separated into two sections for New Zealand, who ultimately qualified for the knockout stages with five wins from their nine matches.

But that only tells part of the story. The Black Caps were unbeaten after their opening six matches, with their abandoned game against India at Trent Bridge their only dropped point.

Three defeats from their final three games then left their semi-final place briefly in doubt, only for net run rate to rescue Kane Williamson’s side with Pakistan breathing down their neck.

Like England, New Zealand have never won the World Cup, although they have certainly had their fair share of missed opportunities having previously contested seven semi-finals.

However, of those seven appearances in the final four, the Black Caps have only gone on to reach the competition’s showpiece once - in 2015 when they were beaten by co-hosts Australia.

With the disappointment from that defeat four years ago still fresh in the memory, New Zealand will feel the time has come for them to finally shake off that ‘nearly men’ label once and for all.

 

[sweep_shot]

Tier-1:-

India
Australia
England

Tier-2:-

New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Tier-3:-

Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
West Indies

Tier-4:-

Afghanistan
Ireland

That is the correct metric for team's current rankings.

Nailed it. You forgot to add Zimbabwe who should be in Tier 4.

This is proper ODI ranking currently.