2 Tests	Pakistan	v	Australia
Pre-rating	1078.2		1273.7
Form	-21.9		+61.0
Expected Margin	Australia by 98 runs

Nominally a neutral venue, and nominally a drifting Pakistan against an Australian side in superlative form. Except, Harris, the key cog that lets Johnson be Johnson, has been replaced by Siddle, and the UAE has been home-sweet-home for Pakistan for long enough to be very comfortable.

Very few things about this match are clear. Spin would seem to be important, but the DSC offers a little on day one then plays low and slow, so it can help to bowl. The absence of Saaed Ajmal means Australia will not be as tested as they might be, which is good for a line-up with a history of abject failure on turning tracks. If it does turn, Smith and Clarke need to score big runs. The latter is also coming back from injury; the former is a wild-card with bat and ball. As too are O'Keefe and Marsh. And for that matter, Johnson, if he can get something out of the pitch - remembering he was stymied in South Africa.

For Pakistan, Misbah and Younis remain the only certainties in a machine that seems to change parts every time it takes the field. That is a worry, but both continue to play good cricket, smart cricket. The ratings favour the Australians, but it ought to be close, and if Pakistan can turn the match into a tussle and wear down the opposing attack, they will be in it.

3 Tests	Bangladesh	v	Zimbabwe
Pre-rating	587.3		570.7
Form	-20.2		+27.2
Expected Margin	Bangladesh by 58 runs

A three test series against two closely matched rivals. Both sides have plenty to prove, if not much to play for in a series that will be ignored moreso than forgotten. Zimbabwe's form at home has been decent, including a victory over both Pakistan and Bangladesh in tests in recent memory. Losing Utseya will hurt though, as their pace bowling has little to offer in Bangladesh. Similarly, the reinstatement of Shakib will improve Bangladesh immensely. The ratings have this much closer than I would think. Assuming we see a result, it should be a comfortable victory for Bangladesh. If not, questions should be asked.

0 Tests	India	v	West Indies
Pre-rating	1082.6		874.9
Form	-74.8		-6.7
Expected Margin	India by 154 runs

LOL.

Rankings at 22nd October 2014
1.	South Africa	1289.1
2.	Australia	1273.7
3.	England	1084.7
4.	India	1082.6
5.	Pakistan	1078.2
6.	Sri Lanka	1050.1
7.	New Zealand	937.8
8.	West Indies	870.2
11.	Bangladesh	587.3
12.	Zimbabwe	570.7
9.	Ireland	594.8
10.	Afghanistan	587.6
13.	Scotland	430.3
14.	Namibia	383.4
15.	Kenya	276.4
16.	U.A.E.	257.3
17.	Netherlands	182.4
18.	Canada	147.9

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 22nd October, 2014 16:29:47   [#] 

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