The ICC Rankings are a dynamic, point-based system used by the International Cricket Council to rate cricket players and teams.
The term ‘Player Ratings’ is used to refer to the points themselves, which are then used to create the rankings. The concept of ranking players based on these rating points was developed under Ted Dexter in 1987.
There is often a widespread misunderstanding of how the ICC calculates rating points. Even some of the most dedicated followers of the game can find it challenging to understand how the ICC ranks their favorite players. For example, when India lost its first-place ranking to Australia during the 2020 lockdown period when no cricket was being played, many fans were left bewildered. This is a key example of how the ICC’s algorithm operates, as team ratings can change even without a match being played due to the rolling nature of the calculation window.
In this guide, we will provide a clear explanation of how these ICC Ratings are calculated to rank teams and players across all formats.
The Fault in the previous system
To put it simply, the ICC Ratings are points generated by various algorithms based on a multitude of scenarios. Crucially, there is no human interaction in the rating process, as all calculations are processed entirely by these algorithms.
Prior to 1987, cricket’s rating system was fundamentally flawed. It relied solely on batting averages and teams’ winning averages to rate cricket players and teams. This proved to be a deficient model because it failed to account for important variables such as match conditions and the quality of the opposing teams.
Recognizing this, the ICC introduced a new rating system that evaluates player performances by taking into account the specific match scenario and the strength of the opposition. This change provided a far more accurate and nuanced measure of skill.
What are Rating Points in Cricket?
In the ICC rating model, cricket players are evaluated and assigned points on a scale ranging from 0 to 1000. These points provide a clear indicator of a player’s standing and performance level.
To secure a place in the coveted top 10, a player generally needs a rating of 750 plus.
A rating of over 500 points signifies a decent level of performance, qualifying a player for inclusion in the official ICC Rankings.
Players who achieve over 900 points are considered supreme achievers in cricket—a mark of exceptional skill and consistency.
Ratings are based on the Recent Form
The core principle behind the ICC Ranking system is a strong emphasis on recent performances over a player’s or team’s overall career record. This is a crucial distinction that explains why team standings can change even when no matches are being played.
The prime example is when Team India lost its number one ranking to Australia in May 2020 in the ODI rankings. This was not due to a poor performance but because a big chunk of their points from 2016 were devalued and eventually dropped from the calculation.
The ICC’s algorithm works on a rolling window. For team ratings, it gives 100% weight to points earned from matches played in the last year, while matches played in the two years before that are only counted at 50%.
For example, in the rankings released in May 2020, points from matches played between May 2019 and May 2020 were fully counted. In contrast, points from matches played between May 2017 and May 2019 were only given half weight.
Similarly, for player rankings, recent form is paramount. A player’s performance in the last year is the most crucial factor in determining their standing. To appear in the official rankings, a player must have participated in a match within a qualifying period, which is typically 12-15 months for Tests and 9-12 months for ODIs and T20s.
If a player retires from a specific format, they are immediately removed from that format’s ICC rankings. However, they will remain in the rankings for any other format they continue to play. A classic example is Virat Kohli, who was removed from the Test and T20I rankings after his retirement but remained in the ODI rankings as a batsman while he is still playing the format. This is why you would have seen Ravichandran Ashwin disappear from all three formats’ rankings after he retired from international cricket entirely.
When are ICC rankings updated?
One of the most common questions among cricket fans is: How frequently are the ICC Rankings updated and published?
The ICC updates its rankings on a regular, weekly basis. As of recent changes, men’s player rankings across all three formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is) are updated every Wednesday. Women’s player rankings for ODIs and T20Is are refreshed every Tuesday. These updates reflect all matches that have concluded up to the day before the release.
For Test Team Rankings, updates typically occur after every single Test match. However, the ICC may wait for a full series to conclude to release an update, even if individual matches have been completed. Similarly, ODI and T20I team rankings are updated after the conclusion of each series or significant tournament.
How are All-Rounders and Wicketkeepers Ranked?
While there isn’t a dedicated ICC Ranking for wicketkeepers, the ICC has acknowledged the difficulty in creating a credible system to rate them, as their performance is heavily influenced by the bowler’s ability to create chances. This is also why fielding points are not included in the all-rounder rankings.
For all-rounders, the ICC has a clear calculation method to determine their rating points. The process involves multiplying a player’s batting and bowling points, and then dividing the product by 1,000.
For example, a player with 800 batting points and 300 bowling points would have an all-rounder rating calculated as follows:
(800 x 300) / 1000 = 240,000 / 1000 = 240 points
A player with zero points in either batting or bowling will have a final all-rounder rating of zero, as it’s impossible to produce a meaningful score without contributions in both disciplines.
