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The West Indians begin their two Test series in Bangladesh holding their second lowest rating in history of 996 points. The only time the West Indians have held a worse rating was in 1933.
The West Indies has lost 122 ratings points over the last four years. As a result, the West Indies has dropped from second position to eighth position over that time.
Over the last six months, West Indies has lost four of their last ten Test matches while only winning two Tests. Both of their victories occurred on their home pitches.
West Indies has not won a single Test on tour since their Test in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe in July 2001. That series in Zimbabwe was also their last series victory away from home. Prior to that, their last series victory away from home was in New Zealand in February 1995.
Against any other nation, these statistics would suggest that the former calypso kings would struggle again to win the series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has an even worse record.
Bangladesh began their Test career in November 2000 by running up a first innings of over 400 runs. By the fourth day, they had lost by nine wickets. Since that time Bangladesh has played 15 Tests without a single victory. Their only draw came when rain prevented play on the last two days of a Test against Zimbabwe - and saved them from an innings defeat.
Bangladesh debuted with the lowest rating by any nation in history of 880 points. They relieved New Zealand of that unwanted record which they had held since 1965 with 902 points.
Since Bangladesh's debut, their rating has plunged even further by 54 points. Currently at 826 points, Bangladesh holds their lowest rating ever, and the worst ever rating by any nation.
New Zealand holds the record for the longest number of Tests played before winning their first Test with their first win occurring in their 45th Test. However, New Zealand had drawn 22 of those Tests. India's first Test victory occurred in their 25th Test and they had drawn twelve of those Tests; Sri Lanka won their 14th Test and drew five along the way; South Africa won their 12th Test with one draw; Zimbabwe won their eleventh Test and drew six on the way. The remaining nations won within their first five Tests.
Both India and New Zealand look certain to find themselves moving further down this unwanted record list in the near future.
West Indies will not be able to call on the services of Brian Lara or Carl Hooper during the series. Both players are in the injured lists. In their place, wicket keeper Ridley Jacobs assumes the captaincy.
Normally, the loss of such valuable players would suggest West Indies would have trouble playing to the level predicted by the ratings system.
In this case, however, the West Indians look set to gain a much needed confidence boost with a series whitewash the most likely result, provided the weather does not intervene. As a further indication of how far each team has fallen, neither team can earn enough points in this series to move out of their current position in the rankings, regardless of the result.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1230); 2. South Africa (1149); 3. Pakistan (1074); 4. England (1059); 5. India (1045); 6. Sri Lanka (1030); 7. New Zealand (1025); 8. West Indies (996); 9. Zimbabwe (902); 10. Bangladesh (826).
