Power Ranking the ODI Cricket Nations After Summer 2014 Series

Following the second publication of Bleacher Report's One-Day International (ODI) power rankings after the climax of The Asia Cup in March, it is time to take a look at how series played around the globe throughout the summer have affected the rankings with this latest version.

Unlike the official International Cricket Council (ICC) table, which takes into account performances over a three year period, this ranking system looks at recent performances only.

Series victories are taken into account, as is the strength of the opposition and where games are played, with greater value being placed on series victories on the road.

So while England's home struggles throughout the summer do not bode well, South Africa have reacted strongly after dropping from the top spot in the last edition of these rankings with some highly effective touring that scores well here.

The defining criteria for pitting one nation against another for a place in the rankings will be: if the two sides met both home and away now, who would emerge victorious?

With consideration to all of the above since the last rankings were published in March 2014, the new rankings are as follows...

All statistics taken from ESPNCricinfo

Current ICC Ranking: 12th (33 rating points)

Last series played: Lost 1-0 (2 game series) v Sri Lanka in Ireland in May 2014

Next Assignment: Scotland (h) in September 2014

It may seem harsh to demote Ireland one place on the back of a sole defeat to Sri Lanka, the side ranked top of the last power rankings after victory in the Asia Cup. However, this was compounded by consecutive defeats in unofficial ODIs against Sri Lanka A at home, the latter by more than 100 runs.

A home series against Scotland this week offers an opportunity to build confidence, but with no further ODIs before taking on the West Indies in the World Cup next February, it is hard to see how Ireland could effectively hone their skills to the standard required to trouble any of the sides above them in these rankings.

Current ICC Ranking: 9th (69 points)

Last series played: Lost 2-0 at home to India in June 2014, Lost 3-0 (3) away to the West Indies in August 2014

Next Assignment: Zimbabwe (h) in November 2015

It has been a chastening six months for Bangladesh, who appear to be going backwards following back-to-back whitewashes against India. They rested senior players ahead of the tour of England, and the West Indies.

After Duckworth Lewis rendered their competitive 272/9 futile, enabling India to chase down 150 in 26 overs in their first game, Bangladesh descended into a series of humiliating and comprehensive defeats in the months that followed.

Victory appeared probable as they dismissed India for 105, inspired by teenager Taskin Ahmed's 5/28, only for the Tigers to collapse in a shambolic heap to 58 all out.

Bangladesh never got close to the West Indies over three games in August, with the home side cruising to their target of 218 with more than 10 overs to spare in the first game before bowling out Bangladesh for 70 in the second game to win by a mammoth 177 runs.

A third and final defeat by 91 runs completed a summer in which Bangladesh were barely competitive, and Afghanistan will fancy their chances when the two sides meet for their World Cup opener in February.

Current ICC Ranking: 11th (42 points)

Last series played: Drew 2-2 (4) away to Zimbabwe in July 2014

Next Assignment: World Cup Warm-Ups (a) against various Australian State Sides in September 2014

Afghanistan's star continues to rise and there were plenty of positives to take from their drawn series in Zimbabwe. After finding themselves 2-0 down, they showed great character to win the remaining two games to level the series, shading the 3rd ODI with 2 balls to spare before romping home by 100 runs in the final game.

A maiden hundred from exciting 17 year-old Usman Ghani to go alongside two half centuries in his first six ODIs provides further reason for optimism for the Afghans. On the down side, the lack of scheduled international fixtures before their World Cup campaign begins against Bangladesh in February will do their development no favours, as they seek to bridge the gap between themselves and the established Test nations in this format.

Current ICC Ranking: 10th (58 points)

Last series played: Drew 2-2 (4) with Afghanistan at home in July, Lost 3-0 at home to South Africa in August 2014, and 3rd in home Tri-Series with Australia and South Africa in August and September 2014

Next Assignment: Bangladesh (h) in November 2014

A busy period of cricket including games against an Afghanistan side of similar quality and sterner tests against strong South Africa and Australia sides can only have benefited this Zimbabwe side.

They would have been disappointed to have blown a 2-0 lead at home to Afghanistan, and struggled to compete with South Africa in the series that followed.

However, the stunning defeat of Australia in the tri-series, their first in 31 years of trying, showed stomach for the fight against superior opposition that Bangladesh can only dream of right now.

This performance, along with eye-catching knocks from the experienced trio Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and skipper Elton Chigumbura, suggests they would likely prevail against the three sides below them in these rankings, and on their day could challenge some of those above them.

Current ICC Ranking: 5th (107 points)

Last series played: Beat Scotland 1-0 (1) in May 2014, Lost 3-2 (5) to Sri Lanka in May and June 2014, and Lost 3-1 (5) to India in August and September 2014

Next Assignment: Sri Lanka (a) in November and December 2014

England continue their slide from equal fifth in the first power rankings published in January this year following consecutive home series defeats to Sri Lanka and India. Their sole victory against Scotland can be discounted from consideration as rain rendered it effectively a Twenty20 match.

Their lack of progress is reflected in their cricket, deemed by many critics, including a clutch of former England players, as outdated, summarised in the Mirror. Alastair Cook's captaincy and place in the side is under intense scrutiny and many feel he should concentrate on Test cricket along with Ian Bell.

Their performances in the most recent five game series against India, where neither passed 50 in six combined innings, did little to dispel this notion.

Two impressive victories against Sri Lanka were undermined by the series defeat, with the 99 all out chasing 257 at Durham representing a nadir. England were deeply uncompetitive against India, losing the three live rubbers by significant margins.

The fourth ODI that saw India waltz to their target of 207 with more than 19 overs to spare was a damning indictment of England's approach.

The consolation victory in the final ODI suggested potential lurks within the side, but the current outlook and dreadful inconsistency makes England difficult to back against most established Test playing nations when it comes to this format.

Current ICC Ranking: 8th (96 points)

Last series played: Beat Bangladesh 3-0 (3) at home in August 2014

Next assignment: India (a) in October 2014

This has been a quiet period in terms of 50 over cricket for the West Indies. Their home whitewash of a struggling Bangladesh did still show enough to suggest they belong above an England side struggling for cohesion.

Three overwhelming victories by margins of 177 runs, 91 runs, and 3 wickets with more than 10 overs to spare showcased the West Indies’ powerful batting line-up, with firepower evident right down the order.

Their strength in depth was evident as Kieron Pollard cracked a sparkling 89 from 70 balls at No. 7, while keeper Denesh Ramdin had a fine series in the middle order, hitting 277 runs in three innings at an average of 92.33 and a strike rate of 111.69.

Also boasting a consistent attack including Ravi Rampaul and Sunil Narine, the West Indies have the tools to rise up these rankings, and their impending series in India, on pitches many of their number will know well from Indian Premier League stints, will be full of intrigue.

Current ICC Ranking: 7th (98 points)

Last series played: Beat India 4-0 (5) at home in January 2014

Next assignment: One off ODI versus Scotland (h) followed by South Africa (h) in October 2014

New Zealand have slipped purely because they have not had the chance to build on their remarkable 4-0 hammering of India in January.

With the World T20 disappearing into the rear-view mirror after March’s tournament in Bangladesh and the 2015 World Cup on the horizon, the decision to play two T20s on the West Indies tour and no ODIs seems a strange one that could hamper the Black Caps' progress.

Since this progress was so thrillingly evident in January’s series victory under the eye-catching captaincy of Brendon McCullum, it would be a shame if rust were to set in just as New Zealand gear up to co-host the World Cup.

They will hope to make up for the 10 month absence from the 50 over format as they pack in 17 ODIs through series with South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan between now and the World Cup in February.

This should give them ample opportunity to rediscover the form that made them too hot for India to handle at the turn of the year.

Current ICC Ranking: 6th (100 points)

Last series played: Lost 2-1 (3) away to Sri Lanka in August 2014

Next assignment: Australia (h) in October 2014

The most notable fallers in this edition of the rankings, Pakistan have played just one three-match series since finishing runners-up to Sri Lanka earned them second spot in the last power rankings published by Bleacher Report. 

Pakistan ultimately failed to reverse those fortunes in their solitary series, letting a 1-0 lead slip as Sri Lanka won the series 2-1.

Over the course of a series, their batting appears to lack the firepower or consistency required to trouble the teams at the pinnacle of the ODI game.

They will have been particularly disappointed to have slumped to 102 all out in the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka with the series in the balance, and sides previously ranked below them appear better equipped after this summer.

Current ICC Ranking: 3rd= (111 points)

Last series played: Lost the Final to South Africa in the Tri-Series hosted by Zimbabwe

Next assignment: Pakistan (a) in October 2014

While the defeat to Zimbabwe can be considered a blip most likely born out of complacency, Australia were competitive against a very good South Africa side but ultimately came off second-best.

Their bowlers struggled to exert control over a formidable Proteas batting line-up, but their muscular top order showed form and their combination of big hitting with consistency makes them a tricky prospect for any side in the world right now.

Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh both impressed in making more than 200 runs at an average of over 50, and with David Warner to come back into the side, no team will relish bowling at their explosive top order. 

Australia's bowlers, a talented and effective bunch on their day spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson, will need greater consistency if they are to reach the summit of these rankings and lift the World Cup in front of their home crowd next February.

Current ICC Ranking: 1st= (113 points)

Last series played: Beat Bangladesh 2-0 (3) away in June 2014 and Beat England 3-1 (5) away in August and September 2014

Next assignment: West Indies (h) in October 2014

India are notable climbers in this edition of the rankings following an underwhelming Asia Cup performance, with impressive victories on the road over Bangladesh and then England.

Though fully expected, the victory over Bangladesh was achieved with many key players rested under the guidance of Suresh Raina, and they showed great character to defend their miserable total of 105 emphatically in dismissing Bangladesh for 58.

The victory over England was a welcome response to an abject capitulation in the Test series and, bar the dead rubber defeat in the final game, demonstrated the huge gulf in class between the two sides in the 50 over format.

With Raina and MS Dhoni providing innings befitting their experience and Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu all playing highly aesthetic innings of substance, it is not fanciful to think that the new generation of batting talent could retain the World Cup.

Should Virat Kholi rediscover the form that made him a superstar, their top order certainly has the look of world-beaters.

Current ICC Ranking: 3rd= (111 points)

Last series played: Beat Ireland 1-0 (2) in May 2014, Beat England 3-2 (5) away in May and June 2014, Lost 2-1 (3) at home to South Africa in July 2014, Beat Pakistan 2-1 at home in August 2014

Next Assignment: England (h) in November and December 2014

Fresh from their World T20 triumph in April, Sri Lanka have been playing plenty of 50 over cricket and remain a formidable force in both forms of white-ball cricket.

Led inspirationally by the increasingly impressive Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka have the benefit of a surfeit of experienced players who have a knack of performing when it really counts.

When 2-1 down with two to play against England, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene struck fifties and Kumar Sangakkara hit a hundred while Lasith Malinga took three wickets in each game to help Sri Lanka turn the series around.

In the series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka again came from behind to win the series, with Jayawardene and Mathews both impressing with two fifties each in the three-match series.

Experience, consistency and character mark this Sri Lanka side out as one of the best in the world, and it was only the home defeat to a formidable South African side that loosened their grip on the number one spot in these rankings.

Current ICC Ranking: 1st= (133 points)

Last series played: Beat Sri Lanka 2-1 (3) in Sri Lanka in July 2014, Beat Zimbabwe 3-0 (3) in Zimbabwe, Beat Australia in the Final of the Tri-Series in Zimbabwe

Next Assignment: New Zealand (a) in October 2014

After slipping to fourth through a period of inactivity in the format, South Africa have done all that could have been asked of them to return to the top of the power rankings, winning every series they have played on the road in the last six months.

The five emphatic defeats of Zimbabwe were par for the course, but performances against stronger opposition caught the eye.

The Tri-Series saw one defeat against Australia but also a stirring victory in the opener as they chased down 328 with 20 balls to spare, powered by twin hundreds from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers.

This pair made light of Australia's 221 in the final with nine overs in hand. De Villiers made 57 not out from 41 balls after Du Plessis hit 96. The latter capped a remarkable series in which he made 464 runs in five innings including three centuries.

More impressive still was the series victory over Sri Lanka, effectively a shoot out for top spot in these rankings. Though their defeat in the middle game was as comprehensive as the pair of victories either side, two scores of more than 300 against such strong opposition is notable.

The five centuries registered between De Villiers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock in the space of three games on foreign land reflects the remarkable talent and application that marks them out as the strongest ODI side currently operating in world cricket.