From 1877 until World War One
Between the World Wars
Post War to the WSC Revolution
The Professional Era to the New Millennium
The New Millennium and Beyond
Other Pages
Home Page
Article Archive
How the System Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistical Points of Interest
Current and Future Series Predictions
Links
Site Map
Information for Visiting Webmasters
Contact Us
Get Free e-mail ratings updates
South Africa return to Test cricket following the internal ructions that followed their early departure from the one-day world cup they hosted earlier this year. A new captain, some retirements and injuries have changed the composition of the team since their last Test series against Pakistan in January.
Despite these changes to the playing roster, South Africa is likely to be untroubled during the series. The weather may well be a greater adversary than Bangladesh as the tourists march to an inevitable series whitewash. This South Africa team will begin the series with the opportunity to extend their national record of seven consecutive Tests victories. Only the most ardent Bangladeshi fan would bet against them extending that record to nine consecutive victories.
South Africa is the second ranked Test nation with 1161 points. Such is the difference between these two nations that South Africa will need to win both Tests to avoid losing ratings points in their series against Bangladesh.
Coming into this series, Bangladesh has played 17 Test for one draw and 16 losses. Their draw against Zimbabwe in November 2001 occurred when they were facing an innings defeat and rain prevented play for the final two days of the Test. Bangladesh has lost eleven tests by an innings, one by over 250 runs and the remaining four by at least seven wickets. In short, they have never been competitive against the established Test nations - even ninth placed Zimbabwe.
Only New Zealand (44) and India (24) played more Tests before securing their first victory. However, both New Zealand and India recorded a significant number of draws along the way to posting those records. With a series in Australia in July, Bangladesh is more than likely going to dislodge India from second place on that unfortunate record list before the end of this year.
During this series, Bangladesh will be coached by Sarwar Imran pending the arrival of former Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore from June onwards. Bangladesh has also switched captains since the one-day world cup earlier this year.
As a result of their record to date, Bangladesh holds the worst rating (818 points) by any Test nation in the history of Test cricket. The second worst rating of 902 points was set by New Zealand in 1965. Since their first test in November 2000, Bangladesh has lost 62 ratings points. Bangladesh only needs to draw one of their Tests against South Africa to slow their catastrophic downward plunge through the ratings.
Regardless of the result, South Africa will remain ranked second and Bangladesh will remain ranked last owing to the significant margins separating the nations from their nearest rivals.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1236); 2. South Africa (1161); 3. Pakistan (1062); 4. England (1053); 5. New Zealand (1041); 6. Sri Lanka (1030); 7. India (1029); 8. West Indies (1004); 9. Zimbabwe (902); 10. Bangladesh (818).
