Does the ICC Ranking need a change in formula to save cricket?

[slowfinger]

i was just thinking about things that give the cricket we watch a bit of meaning, the Test rankings used to be one of them but I haven't heard anyone brag about how their side is the best in the world for a while. Then I remembered that I used to follow the rankings kind of broadly and genuinely felt Pakistan getting to #1 under Misbah was some sort of a massive achievement but since then I have't given a toss. Is it actually a good system in determining the pecking order, does it reflect the recency of teams well, is it weighted correctly, does it capture the manner of victory and defeat is it actually adding anything to the game?

Personally I know England haven't been amazing recently but I think they should be 3rd maybe even 2nd.

 

[Stefan9]

The rankings were important when we didn't have a championship. I rather they focus on a few changes to improve the WTC.

 

[Daemon]

It really feels like everyone sucks these days. Which is good because it’s throwing up all sorts of strange results.

 

[Qlder]

Personally I know England haven't been amazing recently but I think they should be 3rd maybe even 2nd.

Why, they are currently 4th in ICC Rankings and 6th in the WTC table (could be 4th if not for slow over rate penalties). Looks like ICC Rankings are spot on.

 

[Dick Rockett]

I don't particularly care about rankings, although perhaps that's because historically NZ and NZ players haven't been that highly rated.

Regardless I find the idea that we need rankings or the WTC or whatever to give the game 'meaning' or 'context' to be utterly bizarre.

 

[GIMH]

I don't particularly care about rankings, although perhaps that's because historically NZ and NZ players haven't been that highly rated.

Regardless I find the idea that we need rankings or the WTC or whatever to give the game 'meaning' or 'context' to be utterly bizarre.

Amen. The great thing about Test Cricket is the meaning each series has

 

[OverratedSanity]

Amen. The great thing about Test Cricket is the meaning each series has

It's particularly terrible in the coverage of India's tests here where every studio discussion will eventually all lead back to a length debate about how important this Australia tour is for India's chances to qualify WTC final. And I'm sitting here going mother****ers, it's a tour to Australia ffs, it's important by itself.

 

[ankitj]

The ranking formula is fair. Bumrah ranked. Who could argue with Bumrah ranked #35 in T20?

 

[slowfinger]

Amen. The great thing about Test Cricket is the meaning each series has

That's not how international "friendlies" are perceived in footballing circles. Actually they are considered a waste of time. With no competetive focus I don't think you can really call Test Cricket elite sports

 

[Molehill]

Why, they are currently 4th in ICC Rankings and 6th in the WTC table (could be 4th if not for slow over rate penalties). Looks like ICC Rankings are spot on.

I don't think there's a whole lot wrong with the order, although Aus are clearly not as far ahead in real life as these numbers might suggest.