Reigning world Twenty20 champions England top the inaugural rankings announced for the popular format of the game here on Monday. England, who won the third edition of the World Twenty20 under Paul Collingwood in the West Indies last year, have a rating of 127 points and lead second placed Sri Lanka by just one point. England are already world number one in Tests, while Australia top the one-day rankings. The International Cricket Council (ICC) general manager cricket David Richardson said a true context will be provided to the new and popular brand of the game through the rankings. “The launch of T20 rankings will generate even more interest in the shortest format and will help to give more context to bilateral T20 matches,” Richardson, a former South African wicket-keeeper, said at the launch ceremony.
Only six ranking points separate the next four sides with New Zealand on second with 117 followed by South Africa (113) and 2007 World T20 winners India fifth with 112. Australia are placed at sixth with 111, Pakistan are seventh (97) and West Indies next on 89. Afghanistan, who played the third edition of World Twenty20, are ninth with 75 and Zimbabwe are tenth (54). Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland have not played the required number of matches since the August 2009. Jayawardene welcomed the Twenty20 rankings. “I think rankings are important and will add to the competition,” Jayawardene said at the launch. “Twenty20 cricket is a positive influence on the other formats of the game,” he added. England’s T20 captain Stuart Broad showed delight over his team’s top position.
