best team in world cricket right now

[Slifer]

Yeah. Includes drawn ones. Most number of series played without a series loss would be more apt.

Still an incredible record considering the majority of the series were away.

 

[Burgey]

Well, even though it's only a smallish sample size, but based on yesterday it's Australia. Some might say Pakistan, India or England but they haven't played enough tests during that time.

We're back, babeh!!!

 

[listento_me]

I'd be interested to find out what your definitions of string and recent are because the 2 are not compatible in that sentence.

Really? 2 test wins and a test series draw against England, away test wins in SL and Bangladesh and they havent lost an overall series since 2014.

Surely that's not difficult to understand?

 

[Motorwada]

Really? 2 test wins and a test series draw against England, away test wins in SL and Bangladesh and they havent lost an overall series since 2014.

Surely that's not difficult to understand?

India has won away series in SL and a test series win in WI (where Pakistan has never won). They haven't lost an overall series since 2014 cause they have hardly toured outside the SC.

 

[marc71178]

Really? 2 test wins and a test series draw against England, away test wins in SL and Bangladesh and they havent lost an overall series since 2014.

Surely that's not difficult to understand?

Their string of wins was a whole 2 series, which doesn't really count as a string in my book.

In terms of recent, they've barely played away from home so you can't make any claims on that front either.

 

[Daemon]

Pakistan are ****, they lost to WI at home, got schooled by a debutant who's taken like 1 5-fer in his entire FC career, they're dropping a catch for every one taken, just an all round shambles really. Rubbish side. If this is the sort of team that's meant to be #1 I fear for the future of test cricket.

 

[Motorwada]

Pakistan are ****, they lost to WI at home, got schooled by a debutant who's taken like 1 5-fer in his entire FC career, they're dropping a catch for every one taken, just an all round shambles really. Rubbish side. If this is the sort of team that's meant to be #1 I fear for the future of test cricket.

Just got whitewashed by NZ.

 

[Daemon]

Indeed. It's between India, SA and England depending on your away/home preferences.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

India are very strong at home, if they start putting in some decent away performances instead of rolling over for a tummy tickle they will be a clear number 1 like South Africa became. England are good at home and decent away bar Asia but seeing as they count for nearly half the tours that is a pretty huge hole in the sides performances. South Africa I think will have good and bad performances as they seem to have quite an old side and lots of injury prone players, no doubting the talent they have at their disposal but how often can they get them on the park?

 

[honestbharani]

There is no real #1 side in the world, tbh. It all depends on where the game is being played. Forget the old Aus/WI champion vintage, we dont even have the early 2010s India,England, RSA level clear #1 right now. Just by points and series I guess for now, India are but I dont really think they can even compete well in Aus or Eng while there is every chance of us being blown away in NZ and RSA as well. Similarly for England, they are not gonna win in the SC anytime soon but they are not gonna exactly lose in other countries either, except maybe Aus. I guess I am gonna end up saying RSA for now coz they have won in Aus which no other team is really managing to but their poor home record makes it tough to argue for them too. Pak are good at UAE and managed to draw in England but otherwise, nothing flash overseas at all. And Misbah and Younis are not getting any younger. So its really hard to even argue against the ICC rankings at the moment. Every team has its strengths and weaknesses and it all depends on where the games and series are being played.

 

[Heboric]

Series that would be delicious now

England v SA home and away
India in NZ
India v Pakistan home and away
NZ in Bangladesh
Ashes in Australia
SA in SL

and of course Australia in Bangladesh for the lulz

South Africa have won their last series in Sri Lanka after Smith and Kallis left. Plus they have won their last series in Pakistan. I think they havent lost a series in the UAE either.

Its only the last series in India that they did terribly.

 

[Tec15]

It's obviously South Africa, but I guess we'll have to wait for them to win in England again next year before people start to acknowledge it. Just like in 2011 where England and India were supposedly the two best sides in the world, but not really.

 

[harsh.ag]

India have better batting, both top and lower order, and spin bowling than South Africa. South Africa have better pace bowling by a country mile. Would be a great contest.

 

[Furball]

It's obviously South Africa, but I guess we'll have to wait for them to win in England again next year before people start to acknowledge it. Just like in 2011 where England and India were supposedly the two best sides in the world, but not really.

England were clearly the best side in 2011 ffs.

 

[Furball]

Also I don't think it's 'obviously' South Africa as their batting is still pretty poor. Would be exposed against a side that don't make a habit of collapsing.

 

[smash84]

South Africa have won their last series in Sri Lanka after Smith and Kallis left. Plus they have won their last series in Pakistan. I think they havent lost a series in the UAE either.

Its only the last series in India that they did terribly.

This must be a very long time ago. We might as well start counting the team McWarne Aus team then.

 

[vcs]

This must be a very long time ago. We might as well start counting the team McWarne Aus team then.

2007 or 2008

 

[Heboric]

England were clearly the best side in 2011 ffs.

I think it was between Feb and March 2011 they were the best. I read it in an English newspaper so it has to be true.

 

[Motorwada]

South Africa have won their last series in Sri Lanka after Smith and Kallis left. Plus they have won their last series in Pakistan. I think they havent lost a series in the UAE either.

Its only the last series in India that they did terribly.

Yeah but they also keep losing home series to England and Oz. Also wasn't that flash in Bangladesh earlier.

 

[honestbharani]

It's obviously South Africa, but I guess we'll have to wait for them to win in England again next year before people start to acknowledge it. Just like in 2011 where England and India were supposedly the two best sides in the world, but not really.

Lol.. India and England were really good teams who both deserved to be #1 in the times they did. South Africa deserved to be #1 by the time they beat England in England, sure and were probably the best till last year. Its not our fault that South Africa could not put together proper home series wins.