Australia became the No.1 Test team following ICC’s annual update on 1st May 2019.
This update also allowed them to become No.1 T20I for the very first time, strangely they haven’t won a T20 World Cup!.
Here is the Table for three format
| Rank | Test Cricket | ODI | T20I |
| 1 | Australia | England | Australia |
| 2 | New Zealand | India | England |
| 3 | India | New Zealand | India |
| 4 | England | South Africa | Pakistan |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | Australia | South Africa |
| 6 | South Africa | Pakistan | New Zealand |
| 7 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka |
| 8 | West Indies | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
| 9 | Bangladesh | West Indies | West Indies |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | Afghanistan | Afghanistan |
Interestingly Australia are placed at No.5 in ODI cricket. From their recent performances it is no surprise that five time world cup winners are not at the top of the table.
They are seeking stability in middle order hence have been shuffling their No.4, No.5 batting position regularly. On the other hand their bowlers are not able to able to defend a “decent total”… and if they bowl first, than they concede score of 300 plus regularly!.
Their decline in ODI started in South Africa 2016 – where they lost the series 0-5!.
Here is short stats of that series.
- 1st ODI – Aus 294-9 –couldn’t defend as SA scored 295/4 of 36.2 overs……….
- 2nd ODI –SA 361-6 couldn’t chase as they were bundled out for 219 (37.4) overs
- 3rd ODI –Aus 371, and couldn’t defend as SA scored 372/6 (49.2)
- 4th ODI – Aus bundled out for 167 (36.4) and lost by 6 wkts SA 168/4(35.3)
- 5th ODI – SA 327/8 and inspite valiant attempt they fell short 31 runs, Aus 296/10(48.2)
This series was a defining factor for other countries – as they realized Australia does not pose any threat if you start believing in your ability.
Their belief became reality when they made changes to their side, and soon it bore fruits with regularly success.
Below are two tables of win factor for comparison
Table 1– Comparison of between two periods for Australia
Table 2- Comparison of two periods for All Teams.
Post WC 2015 – Dec 2016 – Jan 2017 – March 2020
The next World Cup is in 2023 held in India, and from above table it is very clear India and England are the dominating team in ODI cricket.
Australia always performance better in World Cups, but like World Cup 2019 it would be difficult for them to reach last four!.
Teams like South Africa is in building phase and hopefully for them they would be ready and experience to compete in this tournament.
New Zealand is fairly experienced side, and runners-up in previous two World Cups. Their performance in Asia lately has been commendable and it would be interesting to see how far they reach in the forthcoming World Cup.
Teams like Pakistan, West Indies and even Sri Lanka are always capable of playing better cricket, and its matter of skill(both mental and physical) execution at highest levels.
All data updated at end of March 2020
