| On a given match day rankings of a certain team or | | | | on the field. This holds true not only with lesser |
| player may not always have an influence on the | | | | established teams in world cricket but also with well |
| match outcome, but ranking is something that is held | | | | established teams. |
| in high esteem by players, fans and officials. Had that | | | | For example: Ricky Ponting currently leads the ranking |
| been the case, the game would have become really | | | | table in test cricket and one day cricket, and it is not |
| boring indeed. The International Cricket Council or | | | | only the less established teams like Scotland or |
| ICC, the official body that governs the game gives | | | | Bermuda but also well established team like South |
| rankings to players based on their performances both | | | | Africa and India that fear a player of Ponting's caliber. |
| present and past. ICC cricket rankings are given to | | | | It is not that a player can hold on to his ranking |
| batsman, bowlers, and all-rounder after every | | | | based only on his current performances, but past |
| tournament based on their performance. Different | | | | performances can also help him in holding on to his |
| rankings are attributed to players and teams for test | | | | ranking. Well he may climb down the chart, but he |
| matches and one day matches. These days most of | | | | can remain in the chart for a long time banes on his |
| the top teams of the world have a different team | | | | pervious performances. Sachin Tendulkar of India is a |
| for playing one day matches and a different team | | | | good example for this; he was out of the India team |
| for playing test matches, so you have different set | | | | for a long time due to injuries. However, based on his |
| of rankings. | | | | past good performances he was able to hold a |
| If you follow the game carefully you will always | | | | position in the ranking table for a long time despite |
| come across players who claim that they are not | | | | being out of action for more than three months. |
| bothered by numbers. Some even go to the extent | | | | Many records are made and broken during the course |
| of claiming that that never keep track of the | | | | of match and it is the ICC that gives recognition to |
| rankings, so they have no clue as to which player is | | | | these records. Imagine how frustrating it would have |
| leading the rankings table. Perhaps they will have all | | | | been had there been no central body to recognize |
| the clues when they enter to the rankings table. | | | | those records. We would probably never been aware |
| When a match is underway there is hardly any time | | | | of records and rankings that are taking place in the |
| for a player to be awed by the stature or ranking of | | | | world of cricket. ICC cricket ranking is a sure to |
| a certain player. But when a team is making plans for | | | | boost up the morale and performance levels of a |
| the opposition this is certainly going to have an | | | | team and the players who are ranked at the top. |
| impact on the way plans are made to curb his play | | | | |