Only last week, Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara had criticised the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) ranking system. And the criticism appeared justified on Saturday when it was clarified that even a 2-0 series victory against India in the ongoing series will not be enough for Sri Lanka
to top the rankings table.
The ratings calculator on the International Cricket Council’s official website had predicted earlier in the series that Sri Lanka could topple India from the top position with a 2-0 victory.
However, it was clarified on Saturday that this would not be the case, since the ICC’s annual cycle for the ratings, August 1 to July 31, is coming to an end.
The ratings, which are updated at the end of every series, are calculated on the basis of each team’s performance in the last three annual cycles, with performance in the last two carrying more weightage.
Since the third Test will be played in the new annual cycle, the performance during August 1, 2007 to July 31, 2008 will be wiped out.
As a result, India will retain the top ranking even if they lose the third Test, which starts at P Sara Oval on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan team was taken aback by the development. While Sangakkara “was not aware” about it on Saturday evening, another senior player, preferring anonymity, said, “if that’s the case, what can we do?”