ICC Test Cricket Rankings: Australia firmly stays at the apex of the list. As of to the 17th December 2024, the ICC Test Cricket Rankings have been released and there is no question that the Australian cricket team occupies the number one spot. Australia today retains its number one status in Test cricket with a total rating of 124, ahead of India and South Africa. Let’s look at the top-ranked teams and their positions in the longest form of the game gently.
Top Five Teams in ICC Test Cricket Rankings as per 2024.
Australia
ICC Test Cricket Rankings – Matches Played: 30 Points: 3,715 Rating: 124 The team that tops the ratings is Australia with 124 followed closely by new Zealand in the test cricket rankings. While a few irregular performers have been persistently coming to the fore, they are still overwhelming in the Test format.
India
ICC Test Cricket Rankings – Matches Played: 33 Points: 3,654 Rating: 111 India itself, which is the second in this list, is only with the score of 111, close to Australia. In the current decades their portrayal has been great with matchless crickets such as the leading figure captain Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma and the young dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
South Africa
ICC Test Cricket Rankings – Matches Played: 24 Points: 2,524 Rating: 105 The ‘A’ rated team South Africa stands third but holds a very good position in test cricket with 105. Their fast bowling lineup is still the best in the world with the likes Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
England
ICC Test Cricket Rankings – Matches Played: 46 Points: 4,815 Rating: 105 However, England also stands at 105 as does South Africa but unfortunately the English side has fewer points to back up the ranking. They remain a tough nut to crack across the five Day format , particularly with the new assertiveness instilled by Ben Stokes.
New Zealand
ICC Test Cricket Rankings – Matches Played: 33 Points: 3,216 Rating: 97
New Zealand takes the 5th place with the score of 97. The Kiwi team under the calm leadership of Kane Williamson has been performing remarkably well in Test cricket in both the home and away innings.
Teams Ranked 6–10:
Sri Lanka
Matches Played: 25 Points: 2,271 Rating: 91
Pakistan
Matches Played: 24 Points: 2,060 Rating: 86
West Indies
Matches Played: 29 Points: 2,184 Rating: 75
Bangladesh
Matches Played: 29 Points: 1,884 Rating: 65
Ireland
Matches Played: 5 Points: 131 Rating: 26 Teams Ranked 11–12: Zimbabwe Matches Played: 3 Points: 11 Rating: 4 Afghanistan Matches Played: 3 Points: 0 Rating: 0
Icc Test Cricket Ranking
Newcomer South Africa is second with a rating of 109 and India completes the top three with a rating of 102 to remain the best in the one-day version of the game, though Australia has edged to 124 to assume the mantle of the premier Test side. India and South Africa are practically equals with only a few point difference between them. The England team remains in the top 5 due to a more aggressive style and New Zealand due to a relatively stable result.
Sri Lankan, Pakistani and West Indies teams are consistently fighting for a better ranking while Afghanistan and Zimbabwe teams are yet to come up with good performances in Test cricket.
Champions England and South Africa also face each other again, while India travel to New Zealand in the next few months to secure the next changes to the Test rankings. More updates will follow as the fight for Test dominance goes on.
A Brief Overview of ICC Rankings
These rankings are based on the merits of teams both in extra and official international competitions. Matches are won, lost and Individual ratings and opposition strength make this a fair way to have the global rankings.
India’s Standings in the ICC Test Rankings– India has always been the powerhouse of talent in the Test cricket where teams have displayed tremendous talent and flexibility on the longest cricket playing arena.
Current Test Ranking – To date, India is top of the ICC Test rankings and is expected to remain competitive through to 2025. They maintained home conditions and enhance the performances on foreign soil, and they are now among one of the best-ranked teams. India has ranked at the top many times over the years due to some extraordinary cricketing talents such as Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah.
Strategic Factors for Television Test in India Strong Batting Line-up: India is rightly considered a powerhouse in Test cricket with powerful batting line up comprising Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshar Pujara. World-Class Bowlers: The availability pacers such as Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav besides spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has been a big boon. Home Advantage: A home advantage, especially on spin friendly wickets has helped the side and this is clearly visible in the Indian cricket team.
Improved Overseas Performance: Triumphs in Australia and spirited showings in England and South Africa over the last couple of years have only added to stronger standing as a Test team.