How ICC gives Ranking to Cricket Players? Check Details Here!

The ICC (International Cricket Council) rankings are a system used to evaluate and rank the performances of international cricket teams and players. 

These rankings are updated regularly to reflect recent performances in various formats of the game, including Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Currently, England's Joe Root leads the Test batting rankings with 895 points, followed by Harry Brook (876), Kane Williamson (867), Yashasvi Jaiswal from India (854), and Travis Head (780). 

The ICC calculates these rankings using a points-based system that considers factors such as runs scored, the quality of the opposition, and match conditions. Recent performances are weighted more heavily to ensure the rankings reflect the current form. 

In this article, we'll discuss how the ICC calculates these rankings, why they matter, and how they impact players and teams.

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What is ICC Ranking?

ICC Player Ranking is a table where the performance of international cricketers is ranked using a Points Base System. Players are rated on a scale of 0 to 1000 points. 

If a player's performance is better than the previous year’s performance, then his points increase, and if performance decreases, then ranking points also decrease.

The value of each player’s performance within a match is calculated using an algorithm, which is a series of calculations (all pre-programmed) keeping in mind the different situations in each match.

This algorithm also takes care of runs scored and wickets taken by a player in the match. If the player has contributed well to his team during the critical time, then the value of his performance is considered to be high.

There is no human intervention in this calculation process of the ranking, and no subjective assessment is done. It is also important to mention here that factors counted in the calculation of the player's performance are different for Test cricket, One Day, and T-20.

ICC uses ‘rankings’ to refer to the positions of players in the tables and ‘ratings’ to refer to their points.

For example, Jasprit Bumrah has recently achieved a remarkable milestone in his cricketing career by securing the No. 1 position in the ICC Test bowling rankings with a career-best rating of 907 points. 

This achievement marks him as the highest-ever ranked Indian Test bowler in ICC history, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin's previous record of 904 points.

On the contrary, if a player retires from any particular format, his/her name is removed from the ICC ranking list. For instance, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket in 2014, had been dropped from the Test rankings. 

As of now, he is not actively ranked in the ICC ODI rankings since he retired from international cricket in August 2020. However, during his career, his highest rating was 836 points, and he reached the No. 1 position in the ODI batting rankings at various times.

Further, as soon as a player plays a match, his ranking is issued. But only the names of the top 100 players are published by the ICC. Therefore, a player has to play several matches to join the top 100.

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Recent Match Highlights of Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah's ascent to the top of the rankings is largely attributed to his outstanding performances in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. Here are some key details about his recent performances:

1. Boxing Day Test at MCG: In this match, Bumrah delivered an exceptional bowling display, taking 4 wickets for 99 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 57 runs in the second innings. His total of nine wickets in the match significantly boosted his ranking and contributed to India's competitive edge in the series.
2. Overall Series Performance: Throughout the Border-Gavaskar series, Bumrah has been a standout performer, accumulating 30 wickets at an impressive average of 12.83. His ability to consistently take wickets has kept Australia under pressure and has been pivotal for India.
3. Historical Context: With his current rating of 907, Bumrah is now joint-17th on the all-time list of highest-rated bowlers, alongside England's Derek Underwood. The all-time highest ratings are held by legendary bowlers such as Sydney Barnes (932) and Imran Khan (922).

Significance of the Achievement

Bumrah's achievement not only highlights his talent but also reflects his crucial role in India's bowling attack. His unique bowling style, characterised by pace and precision, has made him a formidable opponent for batsmen worldwide. 

The fact that he has recorded more than 200 wickets at an average below 20 further emphasises his effectiveness as a bowler, placing him among some of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.

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Batsmen Ranking is Decided Based On:

1. Runs Scored: The total number of runs a batsman scores in matches contributes significantly to their ranking.
2. Out or Not Out: Batsmen receive bonus points for remaining not out at the end of an inning.
3. Quality of Opposition: The ratings of the opposing bowling attack are considered; higher ratings for bowlers yield more value for the batsman's performance.
4. Match Context: Runs scored during critical moments or when the team is under pressure are rated more highly.
5. Innings Context: Runs scored in the second innings, especially during a chase, are given more weight than those scored in the first innings.
6. Scoring Conditions: The level of scoring in a match influences ratings; runs scored in high-scoring matches are valued differently than those in low-scoring games.
7. Match Result: If a batsman is a top scorer and his team wins, he earns additional bonus points, particularly if the victory comes against a strong opponent.

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Bowlers' Ranking is decided based on:

1. Wickets Taken: The number of wickets a bowler takes in matches is a primary factor in determining their ranking.
2. Runs Conceded: The total runs conceded by a bowler also plays a crucial role; fewer runs conceded generally lead to higher ratings.
3. Quality of Batsmen Dismissed: Dismissing higher-ranked or more accomplished batsmen yields more rating points compared to dismissing lower-ranked players.
4. Match Context: Performances in critical situations, such as during tight matches or when the team is under pressure, are rated more highly.
5. Overs Bowled: Bowlers who bowl a significant number of overs in a match may receive additional weightage in their rankings.
6. Format-Specific Adjustments: The calculations may vary slightly depending on whether the matches are Test, ODI, or T20 formats, reflecting the different demands and contexts of each format.
7. Recent Performance Weighting: Recent performances are weighted more heavily than older ones, meaning that current form has a greater impact on a bowler's ranking.

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When are the rankings updated?

Normally, ICC updates the Test rankings after each Test match (usually within 12 hours) and ODI ratings at the end of each ODI series. But generally, it doesn’t publish test rankings if another test match is currently in progress.

Points Required to get into ICC Ranking

To be included in the ICC rankings, players need to achieve specific rating points based on their performances in international matches. Here are the key points regarding the required ratings for ICC rankings:

1. 500 Points: A player with 500 rating points is considered a good player, indicating a solid level of performance.
2. 750 Points: Players who achieve more than 750 rating points are typically in contention for the top 10 player list, showcasing significant talent and consistency.
3. 900 Points: Attaining over 900 points is regarded as a supreme achievement, indicating that the player is among the best in the world and has demonstrated exceptional performance over time.
4. Ranking System: The rankings are calculated using an algorithm that takes into account various factors such as runs scored, wickets taken, quality of opposition, and match context.
5. Active Participation: Players must have participated in matches within a specified qualifying period (usually 12-15 months for Tests and 9-12 months for ODIs and T20s) to maintain their rankings.
6. Dynamic Nature of Rankings: Ratings can fluctuate based on recent performances; improved performances increase points, while slumps can lead to a decrease.

No ranking is issued for the wicketkeeper because his performance depends on the performance of the bowler and how much he has been supported by the bowler. Therefore it is difficult to rank him. Similarly, rating points cannot be issued for fielding.

Additionally, all-rounder rankings are calculated by taking both batting and bowling performances into account. The formula used is:

Both batting and bowling performances are evaluated separately before being combined. This means that an all-rounder must perform well in both disciplines to achieve a high ranking.

Similar to other player rankings, recent performances are weighted more heavily than older ones, ensuring that current form is reflected in the all-rounder’s rating. Contributions during critical match situations (e.g., scoring runs under pressure or taking key wickets) enhance an all-rounder's ranking.

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