New Zealand become the No. 1 team in ICC ODI Rankings after annual update

New Zealand have become the new No.1 team in the latest annual update of the ICC ODI rankings. The Kiwis go to the top of the rankings ladder after clean sweeping Bangladesh by 3-0 in the three-match ODI series in March 2021. Furthermore, Australia takes second place in the rankings after climbing by two positions. Australia had beaten India by 2-1 in the three-match series in December 2020.

In the system, results from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons are weighted at 50 per cent, with matches since May 2020 given their full weighting. Matches before 2018 are not included in the annual update of the ICC ODI rankings.

Meanwhile, India have slipped to the third place in the rankings and are ahead of England on a few decimal points. The World Champions England have slipped to the fourth rank  in the latest annual update after the Eoin Morgan-led lost the three-match ODI series against India by 1-2 scoreline.

During England’s tour of South Africa last year in 2020, the ODI series leg was canceled due to Covid-19 pandemic and it could have had an impact on England’s ranking.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka continued to slide down in the rankings table. The Island nation are now in the nine position, going down by one place, after they lost the three match ODI series against West Indies by 3-0.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will play two Test match series against England before the World Test championship final, which will now take place from June 18. Thus, the Kiwis will be able to get used to the English conditions and they will be better prepared as compared to India.

However, the likes of Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson are expected to miss the first Test as they are plying their trade in the ongoing Indian Premier League, which will conclude on May 30.