ICC team ranking system based on the rating system, in which points are assigned to the teams for every test match. Thus, the final rating is the team’s average score during all the matches played during that period. Strength of opposition also matters in the cricket team ranking. And this strong opposition is determined by the current rating system before the start of the series.
ICC team ranking system is the base upon which the best team in the world is calculated. In this context, the team ranking system is explained in a simplified way with examples. Test match rankings are different from ODI and T20s. The cricket team ranking system is less complex than individual player rankings.
Key Points For Test Match Rankings
Irrespective of all the formats, there are some fundamental factors in the ICC team ranking system. By understanding rating points and series points, you will get cricket ranking calculation in test matches. Series points are the points earned by a team upon winning a series. These rating points’ validity is limited to that series only. On the other hand, rating points are accumulated during a particular ranking period. So the rating is the average of rating points earned per match, i.e., total rating points/no. Of matches played. The ranking is the position of a team on the ICC team ranking table. The test match rankings process is done in 3 steps.
- Step 1: Using a mathematical formula, each team will earn a series of points at the end of every series.
- Step 2: The series points are converted into actual rating points. Then the series points are converted to actual rating points with the use of a particular formula.
- Step 3: Based on rating points, the rating arrives at the end.
ICC considers the last three years along with the current year for the calculation of test match ranking. 100% weightage is given to the current and the previous year, while 50 % weightage is given to the two years preceding the last years.
Example
For the year 2020-21, points earned in the current year and the previous year will be given 100% weightage. And for the years May 2016 to 2018, 50% weightage on the rating points will be given.
Ratings point calculation is performed on the average rating points a team has earned in the qualifying period. For example, if India has scored 4800 points in the last 30 matches, the rating would be 4800/30 = 160. One thing to note here is no. of series will be counted irrespective of the number of matches played during the time.
Calculation of Rating Points
As mentioned above, the calculation is based on a 3 step process. The three steps can be understood in detail below –
Step 1 – Calculating the Series Points
In the ICC team ranking system, series pointers are considered to calculate rating points. A series may consist of a minimum of 2 matches between two teams. The series points are given in the following manner –
- 1 bonus series point for winning series
- 1 bonus series point for each match won
- ½ bonus series point for a draw
- ½ bonus series point if the series is drawn
Step 2 – Calculating the Rating Points
The rating points that the team has earned during a particular series are arrived at using the series points. Using the series points, rating points calculation can be done. However, there are two formulas used for cricket team ranking.
Scenario A (If the difference between the two team’s rating is below 40 before the start of the series)
The formula for Scenario A:
[(The opponent’s earned series points) x (The opponent’s rating − 50)] + [(The team’s earned series points) x (The opponent’s rating + 50)]
We found 460 and 380 are the rating points earned by India and England, respectively.
Example 1: If England had a rating of 3240 from 36 matches and India had a rating of 3600 rating points from 30 matches. And in a three-match series, India won 2 matches, and England won 1 match.
India’s Rating = [3600 + 460]/ [30 + 3 + 1] = 4060/34 = 119.4
England’s Rating = [3240 + 380]/ [36 + 3 + 1] = 3620/40 = 90.5
Scenario B (If the difference between the two team’s rating is 40 or more than 40 before the start of the series)
The formula for Scenario B:
Team with a lower rating –
[(The team’s earned series points) x (The team’s own rating + 90)] + [(The opponent’s earned series points) x (The team’s own rating − 10)]
Team with a higher rating –
[(The team’s own rating + 10) x (The team’s own series points)] + [(The opponent’s series points) x (The team’s own rating − 90)]
Step 3 – Calculation of the rating and the final ranking of a team
After the arrival of the specific series results, total rating points earned are added to the overall rating points accumulated during the ranking period. Then the average will be calculated to arrive at the rating. That’s how rating points calculation is done.
Ranking for ODIs and T20s
The ICC Team Ranking System for limited-overs such as T20 and ODI is easier than the test matches. Apart from the series concept, the rest of the rating points calculation is similar to ODI and T20 cricket ranking calculation.
How does the Calculation Work?
The formula for cricket rating points calculation works slightly in a different manner as there are no series points involved.
Let’s take an example to understand both the scenarios of cricket ranking calculation –
Scenario A Formula (If the difference between the two team’s rating is below 40 before the start of the match)
Win – Opponent’s rating + Fifty
Lose – Opponent’s rating – Fifty
Tie – Opponent’s rating
Example 2:
Let’s say an ODI match between Australia and India. India had a rating of 120(averaging 3600 points in 30 matches), and Australia had a rating of 100( averaging 3500 points in 35 matches) before the start of the match.
If India wins the match,
India would earn rating points of 100 + 50 = 150
Similarly, Australia would earn 100 – 50 = 50
Thus, the rating points calculation would be as follows
Australia’s new rating = (3500+50)/36 = 98.61
India’s new rating = (3600+150)/31 = 120.96
Scenario B Formula (If the difference between the two team’s rating is 40 or more than 40 before the start of the match)
Example 3:
Let’s say Australia and Afghanistan are playing a T20 match, and the ratings of Australia and Bangladesh are 120 and 40, respectively. There would be three possible scenarios.
IF Australia wins
Australia = 120+10=130
Afghanistan = 40-10 = 30
If Afghanistan wins
Australia = 120 – 90 = 30
Afghanistan = 40 + 90 = 130
If it’s a tie
Australia = 120 – 40 = 80
Afghanistan = 40 + 40 = 80
This rating point calculation is for that specific match only.
Final Conclusion
Cricket ranking calculation may seem daunting. However, understanding this cricket team ranking would be simpler if you observe the basic rules. The team ranking system is explained in a very simplified manner for easy understanding of our readers.
