Ratings, rankings and other naval terms

I know I have had this discussion before, but I find it fascinating that the team fighting to be ranked the second best in the world (ie us) has so few star performers. I raise this again because Cricinfo has just listed Wisden’s pick for a World one day XI and a World test XI. Not one New Zealander makes either team. Okay, given the recent loss to England there is little surprise that no-one has been selected in the test side. But no New Zealander is in a World XI for one day matches? This seems very odd until you ask yourself who you would pick. Chris Cairns? Well maybe, but most would agree that Andrew Flintoff would shunt him aside on recent form. Stephen Fleming is currently our batsman in the best form - but would he displace Ponting, Hayden, Gilchrist, Lara or Tendulkar? (ummmm, no. The question is rhetorical dumbarse).

The lack of stars becomes even more marked when you look at PWC’s latest ODI ratings. Stephen Fleming has just reached his highest rating ever (702) and is currently ranked the 8th best batsman in the world, but no other New Zealander makes the top 20. On the bowling tables, Jake Oram has also hit his highest rating (799) and is ranked the 5th best bowler in the world. (as an aside, I think you should read that sentence again and suck in the significance of his achievement). Darryl Tuffey (12th) and Shane Bond (19th) have slipped, unsurprisingly given their lack of recent cricket, and Chris Cairn has just climbed 15 places to be ranked 29th.

So, strictly on the strength of ratings Jake Oram might make a World side. But if you were a selector, even with rosy spectacles and a beige shirt, wouldn’t you be tempted to pick Glenn McGrath, or Brett Lee, or Shoaib Akhtar ahead of him?

Second best side in the world? Not on paper my friend. And to my mind, that makes our achievement all the greater.