Annual ICC Rankings: Australia are No.1 in Tests, India retain top spot in T20Is

After a strong performance in the Ashes and the recently concluded series against Pakistan, Australia have strengthened their place as the best team in the latest ICC Men’s Test Teams rankings. The ICC released their rankings on Wednesday and the Pat Cummins led side lead second-placed India by nine points with a rating of 128 points.

The New Zealand side finished the last season as the world No.1 ODI team with the cut-off date being May 4, 2022. The series between England and India that began in 2021, will be included in the rankings once the final postponed Test is completed.

The ICC release stated that Australia have increased their lead over the second-placed India from one to nine rating points, while Pakistan have overtaken England to fifth position in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings.

India have also gained a point to move to 119 while England have had the biggest decrease of nine points as their 4-1 series win over India in 2018 is now dropped from the rankings. England's 88 rating points is their lowest since 1995.

A weight of 50 percent is applied to series completed prior to May 2021, and a weight of 100 percent to subsequent series.

After a string of impressive performances at home, team India is now on top in T20Is, with its lead over second-placed England from one to five points.

South Africa and Australia have overtaken ‘the Blackcaps’ who are now in sixth place. 

Based on the updated ODI rankings, New Zealand remains on top but its lead over England has shrunk from three to one point. The difference between England and third-placed Australia has grown from seven to 17 points.