The Number one test side-Does it even matter?

In broad daylight at the Oval, two test teams were fighting out for the crown of the numero uno ICC test spot. The media buzz is natural. But any series result can turn up interestingly,  depending upon a number of factors. So is ICC number 1 rank that important a parameter?

Let me throw some  light on it.

Neither , England or South Africa, is a comprehensive number one team regardless of their ranking. Either of the sides can beat the other on its day. We have an Australian squad at number 2 sandwiched in between, that has lost some sheen but can beat any given team on their day. Not many months back, India was at the peak of test rankings. Currently they are at five!

This ICC rankings’ system considers only past two years of record. And so it is not foolish to say that rankings are more on a shorter ‘form’ rather than a longer run of events. Some draws have a side dominant over the other but it goes down as an equal point distribution in rankings. Is that justifiable?

According to ICC rankings predictor, if south Africa loses this series 3-0 (can’t happen as they are 1-0 up now) and India wins over NZ 2-0  in August, South Africa will move below England, Australia, India and Pakistan. On form and capability, I doubt this is true. And the predictor says New Zealand will go just 4 points short of Sri lanka, if they beat West Indies 2-0. Can a two match series create so much of a difference? If a team plays less test matches, it loses two spots that year. Is that justifiable? All in all, ICC rankings hardly reflect the true story.

This ranking system can only be trusted if there is a huge points gap, like when Australia used to have in their golden years after 1999. But these days, a three match series goes awry and you lose four spots. It is not of much of a relevance to consider the rankings as a parameter in today’s time. So, the media needs to sit back and watch the Steyn and Anderson spells, the Amla Cook run-pile ups, and the mind games.

The numbers don’t matter every time, the quality of cricket does.  Let the game talk for itself and not the rankings.
'On a good Length' believes rankings should not be the only parameter.