England Return to Number 2

[Collyisamackem]

After India's defeat in Pakistan, England are now once again the second most highly rated team in the ICC system. I think the closeness of the two teams makes the upcoming series a vital one, and I think it offers encouragement to England ahead of the tour. Can we use it as a psychological edge?

[Uham]

Did Pakistan get any higher after beating India? they should.

[greg]

No.They were 4th before.Just closed the points gap a bit.They need to win a few series away to catch up properly.

[Vrock]

With Pakistan's current form I would not be surpirsed if they closed the gap right down.

I think this series now has a lot more on offer...but does it boil down to whether the ICC rankings matter to a team?

[DomainK]

England truely deserves that position after that truely great performance in the Ashes. The India tour is a very important one right now.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by DomainK

The India tour is a very important one right now.

Too right effecitivly it is for the place of second best team, whoever wins claims the prize...

I get the feeling that England seem to be taking this tour much more seriously, I felt they were a bit lack-luster before Pakistan, and the defeat seems to have chastisced them.

I am hopeing for a much better performance. I also get the feeling they are looking forward to hosting Pakistan and getting a bit of revenge..

[Teatime FatCat]

If we beat India in India, is that worth more points than a home series win? ie would we close the gap on Australia?

[Collyisamackem]

I don't believe the rankings reflect the psychological and perceived difficulty of a particular tour sadly.

[greg]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Too right effecitivly it is for the place of second best team, whoever wins claims the prize...

I thought that it would stay the same if India won 1-0 as that was the score last time.Might be wrong though.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

I don't believe the rankings reflect the psychological and perceived difficulty of a particular tour sadly.

Could well be wrong there Colly, I think it matters who you play, also at home or away, and which bowlers are used, and also the batting, I think the stature of the team is taken into account - could bewrong though.