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
Pakistan's overall record against Australia has been very poor.� Of the 16 Test series between the two nations since 1956, Pakistan has won only four and lost nine.� Pakistan has never won any of their eight Test series contested in Australia.� The best Pakistan has managed in Australia is two drawn series in 1976-77 and 1979.�
Overall, Pakistan has played 49 Tests against Australia with 11 wins, 21 losses and 17 draws.� Pakistan last defeated Australia in a Test series was when they hosted the Australians in late 1994.� That was Mark Taylor's first tour as captain.�
Since that 1994 tour, the nations have played four series involving twelve Tests.� Australia has won nine of those Tests, lost one and drawn two.� Australia has won the last two Test series whitewashes.� Thus, history does not favour Pakistan's chances in this series.
After defeating Taylor's Australians a decade ago, Pakistan set their highest ever rating of 1132 points.� Over the next five years, Pakistan's rating then trended down to 1080 points.� From 2000 onwards, Pakistan's rating has moved between a low of 1057 points in March 2001 and a high of 1087 points in December 2003.� Pakistan's average rating since the beginning of 2000 has been 1070 points.
While remaining one of the more stable teams since 2000, Pakistan has seen West Indies plunge below them.� More recently in April 2004, a resurgent England overtook Pakistan and claimed third position in the ratings.� England now leads Pakistan by a comfortable 49 rating points.� The size of England's lead is more a reflection of England's remarkable change in fortunes over the last three years than on Pakistan.
Pakistan has been in the top four Test nations since October 1982, despite never being ranked first.� Pakistan consistently held either second or third position in the ratings from 1982 until the turn of the millennium.� Over the last 22 years, Pakistan has seen two great teams dominate Test cricket: the West Indies under Lloyd and Richards; and Australia under Waugh and Ponting.�
Pakistan is currently ranked fourth with a rating of 1076 points.� However, Pakistan only holds a very narrow three-point lead over fifth placed India.� India is currently touring Bangladesh and should canter home in both Tests unless bad weather intervenes.� Pakistan needs to either win one Test against Australia or draw two Tests to stop India claiming fourth position.
Pakistan has played only twelve Tests in the last 18 months.� They have won seven and lost three with two others ending in draws.� Pakistan has defeated New Zealand, Bangladesh and notably South Africa during that time, while losing to India and most recently drawing with Sri Lanka.
By comparison, Australia has been far more active.� Australia has played 19 Tests, spread over seven Test series, in the last 18 months.� Australia has won 13 of these Tests, with two losses to India and four draws.� Australia has not lost a Test series since the March 2001 tour to India.� The last time Australia lost a Test series at home was against West Indies in 1992-93 when Border was captain.
Australia is currently ranked first with 1237 rating points.� That is the equal second highest rating by any team in the history of Test cricket.� Australia previously held this rating in mid 2003.� Australia is now only four rating points short of the all time record rating of 1241 points, set in October 2003 under Stephen Waugh.
Australia holds a 161 rating point lead over Pakistan going into this series.� If Australia concedes no more than one draw in the three Tests, they will better their previous best rating by one rating point.� If Australia completes a third successive series whitewash, their rating would rise to 1250 points.
Historically, two great teams have held the record rating: Sir Vivian Richards' West Indians set a highest rating of 1236 points in April 1986.� Prior to that, Lindsay Hassett's Australians of 1951-52 held the record with 1217 points.�
The Australians under Waugh bettered Richards' mark by only five rating points, while Richards' improved Hassett's mark by 19 points.� A series whitewash against Pakistan would see Ponting's side putting a 14-point lead over Richards' record.�
In the six years between 1984 and 1990, West Indies maintained a rating above 1200 points for all but four months in 1988.� West Indies played only twelve Test series during that period and their average rating was 1208 points.
Australia has consistently kept their rating above 1200 points since August 2001.� Over that period, Australia and has played 13 Test series with an average rating of 1225 points.� For most of the last two years, Australia's rating has consistently been in the 1230 to 1241 range.�
The current Australians will inevitably drop back below 1200 points.� Richards managed only twelve Tests series above that level and Hassett only three.� History would suggest that Australia is beginning to live on borrowed time.�
Australia has the chance to earn 13 more points if they defeat Pakistan in all three Tests.� Thereafter, Australia plays a series in New Zealand in March where they may gain nine more points if they again win all three Tests.� Australia would then reach 1259 points.
Following New Zealand, Australia faces a tour of England.� England is shaping as Australia's stiffest opposition since their home and away series against South Africa in 2001-02.� South Africa now looks like a pale shadow of the side they were three years ago.� England is likely to claim second place in the rankings by demolishing South Africa in the five Test series starting this week.�
For those Australians who cannot recall the last time England won the Ashes - it was Mike Gatting's team during the 1986-87 tour.� Australia should take careful note of England.� England has been planning for the upcoming Ashes series for four years.� For the first time in 20 years, there will be no Waughs.� An aging McGrath may not make it, Warne will be past his prime and England has found a pace attack.
Australia must take the opportunity while they have it to set a record that will take a very long time to be bettered.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1237); 2. South Africa (1126); 3. England (1125); 4. Pakistan (1076); 5. India (1073); 6. Sri Lanka (1045); 7. New Zealand (1021); 8. West Indies (967); 9. Zimbabwe (881); 10. Bangladesh (787).
