How Cricket Player Rankings Are Determined

ICC Ranking System

To select the best players of recent times, the ICC publishes rankings for international cricketers. Players are rated on a scale of 0 to 1000 points.

• If a player performs better than in previous series or years, their rating points increase.

• If a player performs worse, their rating points decrease.

• New players start from 0 points and must perform consistently well in matches to increase their rating. One good performance followed by poor performances will lead to a drop in points.

The update of rating points is fully automated using ICC’s proprietary computerized algorithm. It considers many factors such as runs, wickets, match context, opposition strength, individual opponent quality (batsman/bowler), and match conditions.

General Rules

• Maximum rating: 1000 points.

• 500 points: considered a good player.

• 750 points: typically in the top 10.

• 900 points or more: considered among the world’s best.

Other rules:

• Points change after every match depending on performance, opposition strength, and match importance (e.g., World Cup vs regular series).

• New players are included in rankings after playing a certain number of matches.

• To enter the rankings, players must play 12–15 months continuously in Tests and 9–12 months in ODIs and T20s.

• Rankings in Tests are updated after each match; in ODIs and T20Is, they are updated after each series.

• Recent performance carries more weight than older matches.

Batting Rankings

Factors considered:

1. Individual runs: Runs scored in each match matter, and consistency is important. For example, scoring a century in one match followed by low scores in the next matches will reduce rating points.

2. Match context: Performance under pressure, like chasing a large total or contributing significantly to a win, increases points.

3. Not-out vs out: Scoring a century and remaining not out gives slightly higher points than being out after a century.

4. Opposition bowlers’ strength: Runs against strong bowling attacks (e.g., Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc) give higher points than runs against weaker teams.

5. Home vs away: Runs scored overseas increase rating points more than at home.

6. Match scoring conditions: Runs scored in low-scoring matches are more valuable than runs in high-scoring conditions.

Bowling Rankings

Factors considered:

1. Wickets taken: Consistency in taking wickets over a series is important. Taking 5 wickets against a strong team gives more points than against a weaker side.

2. Runs conceded: Economical bowling increases rating points; conceding more runs decreases them.

3. Opposition batsmen strength: Dismissing top-ranked batsmen increases points more than dismissing lower-ranked ones.

4. Match context: Bowling that directly affects the match outcome, e.g., defending a small total under pressure, increases points more.

5. Pitch and match conditions: Good performance in challenging low-scoring matches can earn more points.

All-Rounder Rankings

• Determined by combining batting and bowling ratings.

• Only players who excel in both disciplines are eligible for all-rounder rankings.