1st Test	England	v	New Zealand
Pre-rating	1220.4		871.8
Form	-15.2		+13.2
Expected Margin	England by 224 runs
Actual Margin	England by 170 runs
Post-rating	1215.0		877.4

A strange test match. New Zealand bowled very well, as expected, taking advantage of swinging conditions to restrict England to 232 and 213. They also lost by nearly an innings, making only 275 themselves. Moreover, while the target of 239 looked eminently gettable, there wasn't any indication they'd be able to do so, with just the one partnership of note in their first innings between Williamson and Taylor. That bodes poorly for Headingley, a notorious ground for movement and collapses, when compared to Lord's reputation as a road - even in May.

England will be concerned that their batting struggled. Although in the end, their technical ability got them the runs, they clearly miss Pietersen (and in the second innings, Bell) to propel the score along. All the New Zealand bowlers were good, but Southee's 10/108 highlights his continued improvement. Anderson's 5/47 was probably as crucial as Broad's second innings 7/44, giving England the lead, and wiping out the top order. Finn didn't really impress, but he has a knack for taking wickets, and he wasn't needed at all in the second innings, such was the speed of the collapse.

New Zealand did manage to beat their expected margin, but not by much, and if the rain holds off for enough time to play, they'll likely struggle to beat it in Leeds.

Rankings at 24th May 2013
1.	South Africa	1324.6
2.	England	1215.0
3.	Pakistan	1120.9
4.	Australia	1110.0
5.	India	1096.3
6.	Sri Lanka	997.9
7.	West Indies	963.8
8.	New Zealand	877.4
9.	Bangladesh	604.6
11.	Zimbabwe	546.0
10.	Ireland	547.7
12.	Afghanistan	545.5
13.	Scotland	427.4
14.	Namibia	423.8
15.	Kenya	298.3
16.	U.A.E.	228.8
17.	Netherlands	208.7
18.	Canada	141.3

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Cricket - Ratings - Test 25th May, 2013 02:49:10   [#] [0 comments] 

The associate and affiliate cricket podcast is an attempt to expand coverage of associate tournaments by obtaining local knowledge of the relevant nations. If you have or intend to go to a tournament at associate level - men's women's, ICC, unaffiliated - then please get in touch in the comments or by email.

Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79) joins me for a packed news show. We discuss the fall-out from World Cricket League Division Three, the Dutch tour of Namibia and the U-19 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. In the news: we overview the start of the European season, Afghanistan's bid for associate status and the USYCA's choice of affiliation.

Direct Download Running Time 40min. Music from Martin Solveig, "Big in Japan"

Cricket - Associate - Podcast 19th May, 2013 00:19:24   [#] [0 comments] 

2nd Test	Zimbabwe	v	Bangladesh
Pre-rating	554.9		598.9
Form	-17.1		-10.3
Expected Margin	Zimbabwe by 28 runs
Actual Margin	Bangladesh by 143 runs
Post-rating	546.0		604.6
Series rating	671.3		479.3

After a dominant win in the first game, the (relative) strength of Bangladesh's middle order came to the fore, with Shakib, Mushfiqur and Nasir Hossain each scoring two fifties in the match; while Robiul Islam continued his fine tour, taking 5/85 in the first innings. Zimbabwe only saw two contributions of note, 87 from Chingumbura and 110* from Hamilton Masakadza, leaving them 143 runs short. Nevertheless, they had the best of the two games overall and will be pleased to have recorded victories against a side that is on a (slow) upswing themselves. Brendan Taylor remains their only batsman of real class, but there is some talent in the bowling, and they are young. If they could only lower themselves to playing weaker opposition in order to get out on the park more often, we might see some of that talent develop.

2 Tests	England	v	New Zealand
Pre-rating	1220.4		871.8
Form	-15.2		+13.2
Expected Margin	England by 224 runs

England generally play well in New Zealand, and the lack of a positive result - unless escaping with a drawn series when deserving of a loss counts as a positive - was both a surprise and a potential sign of trouble in what remains a new era. Pietersen was missed, as perhaps, was Strauss's influence, even if his batting was well covered. Swann will return for this series, but otherwise England remain a slightly raw side, with a bowling lineup that has very good days, but a fair share of middling ones.

New Zealand have a young and promising bowling attack that allows them the opportunity to win if the batting can score enough runs. They did so at home, but, notwithstanding the similarity in conditions, it would be a real surprise if they can produce the same performance in England. A rain-induced draw, or an English victory by 9 wickets - as predicted - ought to be within their grasp though.

Ultimately, England survived the New Zealand leg because their batting depth makes them a hard side to bowl out. If the rain stays away, the sort of low-scoring early-summer series normally served up in May means this might again be a crucial factor. New Zealand have some decent batsmen of their own down the order and if we are lucky we'll see a pair of teams willing to scrap for small advantages.

Rankings at 16th May 2013
1.	South Africa	1324.6
2.	England	1220.4
3.	Pakistan	1120.9
4.	Australia	1110.0
5.	India	1096.3
6.	Sri Lanka	997.9
7.	West Indies	963.8
8.	New Zealand	871.8
9.	Bangladesh	604.6
11.	Zimbabwe	546.0
10.	Ireland	547.7
12.	Afghanistan	545.5
13.	Scotland	427.4
14.	Namibia	423.8
15.	Kenya	298.3
16.	U.A.E.	228.8
17.	Netherlands	208.7
18.	Canada	141.3

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Cricket - Ratings - Test 16th May, 2013 21:20:37   [#] [0 comments]