ICC Cricket Rankings
The official ICC Player Rankings provide the definitive ranking of international cricketers across all three formats. Updated after every series, these rankings reflect current form and sustained excellence across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket for both men and women.
Understanding ICC Rankings
The ICC Player Rankings are the international cricket world's most authoritative rating system for individual players. First introduced for Test cricket in 1987, and later extended to ODIs and T20Is, the rankings use a sophisticated algorithm that considers a player's performance over a rolling period, with more recent results carrying greater weight.
Each player earns rating points on a scale of 0 to 1,000, with performances evaluated against the quality of the opposition. A batter's rating accounts for runs scored, consistency, and match context, while a bowler's rating considers wickets taken, economy rate, and the strength of the batting lineup faced. The system ensures that performances against stronger teams are rewarded more generously.
Separate rankings are maintained for batters, bowlers, and all-rounders in each format, providing a comprehensive picture of who the best players in the world are at any given time. Sir Don Bradman holds the highest-ever Test batting rating of 961 points, a benchmark that remains the gold standard in the sport.
Top 10 Test Batters
The highest-rated batters in men's Test cricket, based on current ICC rankings.
| # | Player | Country | Rating | Best Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Root | England | 897 | 923 |
| 2 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 874 | 913 |
| 3 | Steve Smith | Australia | 862 | 947 |
| 4 | Harry Brook | England | 851 | 864 |
| 5 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | India | 845 | 853 |
| 6 | Travis Head | Australia | 831 | 842 |
| 7 | Virat Kohli | India | 815 | 937 |
| 8 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 808 | 820 |
| 9 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 794 | 873 |
| 10 | Usman Khawaja | Australia | 788 | 812 |
Top 10 ODI Batters
The highest-rated batters in men's One Day International cricket.
| # | Player | Country | Rating | Best Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shubman Gill | India | 791 | 810 |
| 2 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 778 | 891 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | 765 | 911 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | India | 741 | 855 |
| 5 | Travis Head | Australia | 735 | 758 |
| 6 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 722 | 782 |
| 7 | Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 715 | 744 |
| 8 | Dawid Malan | England | 708 | 725 |
| 9 | Steve Smith | Australia | 701 | 817 |
| 10 | Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | 695 | 712 |
Top 10 T20I Bowlers (Women)
The highest-rated bowlers in women's T20 International cricket.
| # | Player | Country | Rating | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sophie Ecclestone | England | 780 | Left-arm Orthodox |
| 2 | Amelia Kerr | New Zealand | 752 | Leg Spin |
| 3 | Deepti Sharma | India | 735 | Off Spin |
| 4 | Megan Schutt | Australia | 721 | Left-arm Fast |
| 5 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 708 | Right-arm Fast |
| 6 | Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | 695 | Right-arm Medium |
| 7 | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | 682 | Off Spin |
| 8 | Hayley Matthews | West Indies | 671 | Off Spin |
| 9 | Jess Jonassen | Australia | 658 | Left-arm Orthodox |
| 10 | Lea Tahuhu | New Zealand | 645 | Right-arm Fast-Medium |
How ICC Rankings Work
A detailed look at the algorithm behind cricket's most respected ranking system.
Rating Points (0–1,000 Scale)
Each player receives a rating from 0 to 1,000. Don Bradman holds the all-time record of 961 in Test batting. Points above 900 are considered exceptional, while 800+ indicates world-class performance.
Rolling Evaluation Window
Test rankings consider performances from the last 3–4 years, with recent matches weighted more heavily. ODI and T20I rankings use shorter evaluation periods to reflect the faster turnover in limited-overs cricket.
Opposition Strength Factor
Performances against higher-ranked opposition earn more rating points. Scoring a century against the world's top-ranked bowling attack is worth significantly more than the same score against a lower-ranked team.
Updated After Every Match
Rankings are recalculated and published after every international match concludes. An annual update also takes place where older performances are progressively down-weighted to keep the rankings current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the ICC ranking system.
ICC rankings use a points-based system that evaluates player performances over a rolling period. For Test rankings, performances from the last 3–4 years are considered, with more recent results weighted more heavily. ODI and T20I rankings use a similar methodology but with shorter evaluation windows. Points are awarded based on runs scored, wickets taken, and the quality of the opposition.
ICC rankings are updated after every international match. After a Test match, ODI, or T20I concludes, the rankings are recalculated and published, typically within 24 hours. Annual updates also occur where older performances are given reduced weighting to keep the rankings reflective of current form.
Steve Smith of Australia and Don Bradman have spent the most cumulative time at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. In the modern era, Steve Smith held the No. 1 spot for over 1,500 days. Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Virat Kohli have also held the top position for extended periods during their careers.
The highest ICC rating ever achieved is 961 points by Sir Don Bradman in Test batting. Among bowlers, Sir Sydney Barnes holds the all-time record with 932 points. In the modern era, Steve Smith reached 947 in Test batting, while Muttiah Muralitharan peaked at 920 in Test bowling.