The New Millennium: 2000 and Beyond
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All Test Results and Ratings
for this period by Country
Australia
Bangladesh
England
India
New Zealand
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South Africa
Sri Lanka
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Zimbabwe
The page will be expanded when a sufficient number of tests have been played. In the interim, this page provides access to the results of tests held from 2000 onwards.
3 July 2006. To see a larger version of the graph, click here
This article notes some of the international records that have been set and is then followed by a summary of each nation's national records and progress for the four years from the turn of the century to early October 2003.
Record number of Test Nations - With the inclusion of Bangladesh in November 2000, the number of nations competing at Test level expanded to a record number of ten.
Record for Consecutive Series Whitewashes - A more lamentable record was set when six consecutive Test series ended in whitewashes from December 2001 until March 2002. One-off Tests have not been included in the record (else the record would stand at seven!). The previous record stood at two consecutive series whitewashes. Such a record reflects the growing gap between the competing nations and the increasing number of two-Test series.
Consecutive Test Victories - Australia set the international record with 16 consecutive Test wins while South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan set their own national records for consecutive wins.
Record Individual Test innings - Matthew Hayden claimed the record for the highest Test innings with 380 runs against Zimbabwe. The previous record of 375 runs was held by Brian Lara.
Record Ratings Australia currently holds the highest rating by any nation in the history of Test cricket with 1237 points. Bangladesh regrettably holds the lowest rating by any nation in the history of Test cricket with 802 points.
Ratings Groupings - Australia and South Africa are as far ahead of the 'bunch in the middle' as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are below them. The tight 'bunching' of six nations in positions three to eight separated by no more than 58 ratings points is unusual. The tight bunching has only occurred twice before, in the mid to late 1980s and the mid 1950s. All three of these eras have also been marked by the ascendancy of one nation to the very top echelon of the ratings. Generally, throughout the history of Test cricket, the nations are more evenly separated.
Australia
Australia, under the captaincy of Stephen Waugh, has been the form team of the new millennium. The Australians completed an all nation record sequence of sixteen consecutive Test victories that started in October 1999 at Harare and ended in a defeat by India at Kolkata in March 2001. The Australians claimed this record from (Sir) Vivian Richards' West Indians, who set the previous record of eleven consecutive Test victories in 1984.
During the new millennium, Waugh's Australians have played 40 Tests and have won 31, drawn three and lost only six. Waugh's overall winning percentage during his captaincy of Australia is 73.6 per cent makes him the most successful long-term captain of any nation in Test history.
The sequence of victories has pushed the Australians beyond 1200 points. They became only the fifth team in history to achieve that feat.
Waugh's Australians overtook Lindsay Hassett's Australian team to claim the mantle of the highest ranked Australian team in history. Hassett's record of 1217 ratings points had stood since January 1952. Waugh's Australians then went on to set the all time highest rating any nation of 1237 points in July 2003 after another whitewash defeat of Bangladesh. The previous record of 1236 points was set by (Sir) Vivian Richards' West Indians after the 'blackwash' of England in April 1986.
Since the turn of the Millennium, Australia has played 40 Tests while increasing their rating by a net 88 rating points.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh started their Test career in November 2000. Since their inclusion into Test cricket, they have set all the wrong sorts of records.
Bangladesh's initial rating of 880 points was the lowest rating by any nation in Test history. They debuted 22 rating points below the previous worst ever rating of 902 rating points, set by New Zealand in July 1965.
Since Bangladesh's debut, their rating has plunged even further by 78 points. Currently at 802 points, Bangladesh holds their worst 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 before winning. India?s first Test victory occurred in their 25th Test and they had drawn twelve Tests before winning; 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.
Bangladesh has currently played 24 Tests without a victory. Their only draw occurred when the entire last two days of a Test against Zimbabwe were rained out. Except for the rain, Bangladesh would have lost by an innings. The evidence to date suggests that (unless Kenya is admitted into Test cricket) New Zealand may soon be relieved of the burden of the team to have played the most Tests before snaring a victory.
England
The turn of the millennium signalled the awakening of the slumbering English lion. From 1986 to the end of the century, England had consistently held fifth place in the ratings. Suddenly, from May 2000 onwards, England won four series in a row and drew the fifth series.
England had not gone five series without a loss since the period from 1977 to 1979 when they played seven series with five wins and two draws. By March 2001, England had regained third place in the ratings for the first time since July 1986.
From March 2001, England's rating slipped by 23 points and they dropped back below third place. However, England recovered during their 2003 home season and they returned to third place and a rating of 1073 points - their highest rating since March 1984
England's increase in rating during this period has been punctuated by terrible losses to Australia. Their only Test victories against their oldest opponent have been in 'dead rubbers' when the pressure was less.
England has played 47 Tests during the new millennium while increased their rating over that time by a net 49 points.
India
India has slowly improved their rating during the new millennium. However, India has done nothing spectacular apart from ending the Australian's record winning streak. India has occupied sixth position for almost the new millennium.
India started the period with 1033 ratings points. After lifting their rating to 1045 points in November 2002, India has since dropped to their current rating of 1029 points with a net loss of 4 ratings points during the new millennium.
Like a number of other nations, India is unlikely to significantly improve their position in Test cricket until they begin to win their overseas tours. India last won a series on tour in Sri Lanka in 1993. Unfortunately, their batsmen do not seem able to adjust to bouncier pitches and until the administrators specifically address the systemic lack of quality medium-fast to fast bowlers, India will always struggle on tour.
India has played 35 Tests since the new millennium for a net loss of three ratings points.
New Zealand
New Zealand has been the quiet achiever of Test cricket during the new millennium. New Zealand began the millennium on 1006 points and has increased their rating to 1040 points. The increase in their rating has seen New Zealand move from a habitual seventh place in the ratings up to their current fifth place.
New Zealand's current rating is the highest since March 1990. New Zealand has generated a handy buffer against dropping back below the 1000-point barrier, where their rating remained for the entire 1990s. If their upward trend continues, New Zealand may join Pakistan and England as contenders for third place in the ratings within the next 12 to 24 months.
During the new millennium, New Zealand has played 27 Tests for a net increase of 34 ratings points.
Pakistan
Pakistan's most significant achievement during the new millennium has been to set a new national record of six successive Test victories during May 2001 and February 2002. The previous record of four successive victories was set in late 1990.
Pakistan began the new millennium on 1080 points and they have dropped a net 10 points to their current rating of 1070 points. For the majority of the new millennium, Pakistan has held third place. Pakistan dropped to fourth place for the first time since March 1984 when England passed them briefly in March 2001. England subsequently fell back to fourth in September 2001 before again claiming third place in September 2003 and pushing Pakistan back to fourth place.
Pakistan's current rating of 1070 points is at historically low ebb. Throughout the period from 1984 to 1999, Pakistan's average rating was 1094 points. That period saw them easily occupy third place and, from time to time, second position in the ratings.
Pakistan has suffered the ramifications of the 'post 11 September 2001' security environment more than any other Test nation. Many nations have sought alternative venues rather than tour Pakistan, some have declined to tour and others have shortened their tours. As a result, Pakistan has played only 16 Test since 11 September 2001 while other nations have played significantly more - for example, Bangladesh (20); India (21); Sri Lanka (19); and Australia (23). The lack of Test cricket has many impacts, including lack of match practice for the players when they do play and dramatic financial impacts on the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan has played 31 Tests during the new millennium for a net loss of 10 ratings points.
South Africa
South Africa has been remarkably consistent during the new millennium. South Africa began the period on 1156 points holding first place in the ratings and has since dropped a net two points to their current rating of 1154 points. However, due to the remarkable series of records set by the Australians since that time, South Africa must continue to content itself with second place.
During the new millennium, South Africa set a new national record highest rating with 1165 points in May 2003. South Africa also set a national record of nine consecutive Test victories, surpassing the previous record of five set in October 1995 and again equalled in November 1998.
South Africa has held second position in the ratings since the fourth day of the new millennium. They are currently a comfortable 81 rating points ahead of third placed England while remaining 83 points behind first placed Australia. South Africa has shown no sign of being able to raise their rating up to match Australia. South Africa appears to be content to await the downfall of the Australians, back to a 'mere mortal' status of around 1150 points.
South Africa has played 41 Tests during the new millennium and has won 23, drawn eight and lost ten. Compared to Australia over an equivalent number of Tests, the number of drawn (eight for South Africa and three for Australia) and lost Tests (ten for South Africa and six for Australia) is the difference between the nations.
Sri Lanka
During the four years prior to the start of the new millennium, Sri Lanka had battled with Zimbabwe for eighth place in the ratings. Starting the new millennium on 976 points, Sri Lanka has since set a national record of 1049 points in March 2002 and climbed from eighth place to fourth place in the ratings. Since March 2002, Sri Lanka has slowly slipped back to their current rating of 1022 points and holds seventh position.
Sri Lanka has also smashed their national record for consecutive victories with nine wins from September 2001 to February 2002. Sri Lanka's previous record was three consecutive victories set in 1998. However, all nine victories occurred on their home soil and they have had difficulty winning away from home - their only series victory on tour during the new millennium was in Pakistan in 2000.
Similar to India, Sri Lanka's inability to win away from home is the primary reason they have not continued to rise through the ratings. During the new millennium, Sri Lanka has played 37 Tests for 16 wins, seven draws and 14 losses and a net gain of 47 points.
West Indies
West Indies cricket has been on a downhill slide since their glory days between the mid 1980s to mid 1990s. The event that drew attention to the extent of their dramatic collapse was the series whitewash inflicted during the South African tour of 1998-99.
During the new millennium, West Indies rating has fallen from 1065 points at the turn of the century to their current rating of 1015 points. As a result, West Indies has fallen from fourth position in the ratings to eighth position. Over that time, West Indies has been, uncompetitive on tour whilst being somewhat more competitive at home. As a result, their ratings graph has slumped while on tour while only slightly being offset during home series.
By November 2002, West Indies had slumped to their second lowest rating in history with 996 points. The West Indians narrowly avoiding setting what would have been a regrettable record by six ratings points. The record still stands at 990 points set in August 1934.
During the new millennium, West Indies has played 45 Tests for twelve victories, eleven draws and 22 losses and a net loss of 50 ratings points. West Indies only series wins during the new millennium on tour have been in Zimbabwe (2001) and Bangladesh (2002). Beyond those two series, the West Indian's last series victory on tour was in New Zealand in 1995.
West Indies is currently lodged at the bottom of a tightly grouped set of nations fighting for third to eighth positions in the rankings. There seems little chance that they could fall below either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh in the medium term. Like India and Sri Lanka, West Indies will no be in a position to compete for higher positions until they can win series on tour against creditable opposition.
Zimbabwe
From the time Zimbabwe entered Test cricket in 1992 until the end of the 1990s, Zimbabwe had battled Sri Lanka for eighth position in the ratings. Over that time, the two nations swapped eighth and ninth positions regularly. However, from the turn of the millennium, Zimbabwe has almost continuously lost ratings points while Sri Lanka climbed away from them.
Zimbabwe began the new millennium with 948 points and has since fallen to their current rating of 893 points. Zimbabwe's current rating is a national record low point. Over that period, Zimbabwe has firmly lodged themselves in ninth position with little hope of competing for eighth position for a very long time.
Internal division has increasingly wracked the nation of Zimbabwe as the country deals (or fails to deal) with the ongoing legacy of the transition from white minority to black majority government. Many of the white players own property or farms that have been subject to unannounced occupation by black people that is not consistent with international law. Given such distractions, it is hardly surprising that the player's minds are not focussed on cricket - especially while on tour.
The ongoing political instability has been directly responsible for many players either leaving or withdrawing from the national side. Zimbabwe's pool of players was already very limited even without such losses. A cloud also hangs over the safety of visiting teams as the Government fails to properly police law and order.
Zimbabwe's cricket team will not be competitive with the established Test nations until the nation correctly, fairly and equitably deals with their internal problems. If Zimbabwe achieves that objective, then the players may once again be able to focus on cricket to the degree necessary to regain their competitiveness.
During the new millennium, Zimbabwe has played 28 tests for a net loss of 55 ratings points.
