KEY POINTS
- Blackcaps completed a historic 3-0 whitewash over England.
- This victory propelled New Zealand to second place in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings.
- England’s ongoing ODI struggles leave them in eighth place.
ISLAMABAD: In a historic performance, New Zealand completed a 3-0 whitewash over England in their three-match One Day International (ODI) series, marking their first clean sweep of England in 42 years.
This remarkable victory not only strengthened New Zealand’s dominance on the field but also propelled them to second place in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings.
With a rating of 111, they are now two points ahead of Australia, who sit third with 109 points. India continues to lead the rankings with a comfortable 122 rating.
England’s loss further deepens their struggles in ODI cricket, as they currently sit in eighth place with a rating of 86, just ahead of the ninth-ranked West Indies.
New Zealand’s remarkable whitewash, which last occurred in 1983, is a testament to their growth in limited-overs cricket. With an impressive series win, they have now firmly placed themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.
Meanwhile, England’s recent slump, having lost 24 ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, raises concerns as they fight to retain an automatic qualification spot for the next global tournament.
ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings (Top 10)
- India – 39 matches, 4745 points, 122 rating
- New Zealand – 41 matches, 4571 points, 111 rating
- Australia – 38 matches, 4134 points, 109 rating
- Sri Lanka – 41 matches, 4235 points, 103 rating
- Pakistan – 35 matches, 3493 points, 100 rating
- South Africa – 35 matches, 3457 points, 99 rating
- Afghanistan – 28 matches, 2657 points, 95 rating
- England – 40 matches, 3432 points, 86 rating
- West Indies – 38 matches, 2882 points, 76 rating
- Bangladesh – 38 matches, 2752 points, 74 rating
With New Zealand’s dominant performance and rise in the rankings, the stage is set for an exciting ODI landscape, as the top teams gear up for future tournaments, including the 2027 ICC World Cup.
