After an enthralling and exciting ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the focus now shifts to the traditional format of the game when the West Indies and England go head to head in a three-Test series which starts in Antigua on Monday.
England is currently sitting in third place on 104 ratings points, while the West Indies is in eighth spot on 76 ratings points. This gap of 28 ratings points means England is expected to win the series convincingly, and because the rankings are weighted to reflect this difference, failure to win comfortably will mean Alastair’s Cook’s side will drop points.
A 1-0 series win for England will only help it to retain its pre-series ranking but a 1-1 draw will mean it will drop behind Pakistan in fourth position. A 2-0 win will earn England one ratings point, while it will move to 106 ratings points in case of a 3-0 series win.
In contrast, eighth-placed West Indies, currently 17 ratings points adrift of seventh-ranked India, will be aiming to narrow the gap with Virat Kohli’s side. A 3-0 whitewash will help the West Indies close the gap by eight ratings points on the rankings table with England dropping to fifth and just one ratings point ahead of sixth-ranked Sri Lanka (96).
A 2-0 series win will advance Denesh Ramdin’s men up seven rankings points to 83, with England slipping to fifth position on 98 ratings points. A 1-0 series win for the West Indies will mean it will move to 82 ratings points, while the West Indies will join England on 99 ratings points but will be ranked above the Black Caps when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 10 April, ahead of West Indies-England Test series)
1. South Africa 124
2. Australia 119
3. England 104
4. Pakistan 103
5. New Zealand 99
6. Sri Lanka 96
7. India 93
8. West Indies 76
9. Bangladesh 32
10. Zimbabwe 18
