The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has welcomed a new official women’s team ranking system which was launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier today.
The innovative multi-format system incorporates Test, One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket equally, awarding ranking points for every international match played. Statistician and ICC Cricket Committee member, David Kendix, has devised the system, applying the same methodology that is used for the men’s team rankings for each individual format.
England women (124 points) are currently ranked second in the ten-team table, behind Australia (134 points) and ahead of New Zealand (109 points). A successful 2016 would potentially give England the opportunity to move into first place, as they embark on their busiest ever schedule.
Following a three match ODI and three match T20I series in South Africa in February, England women will compete in the ICC Women’s World T20 in India in March, host a home ODI and T20 series against Pakistan, and finish with tours to the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket and Chair of the ICC Women’s Committee, Clare Connor, said: “These are exciting times for our sport as women’s cricket continues to gain a greater profile and attract more participants worldwide than ever before. Today’s announcement is another significant step forward for the global women’s game and will bring an even greater competitive edge to all three formats at international level.
“The introduction of the ICC Women’s Championship last year brought a refreshing relevance to every ODI series that we play; the new ranking system extends this context to incorporate all international women’s cricket – so now more than ever, every match counts, and the England women’s team will be striving hard for the number one spot next year.”
England women’s tour to South Africa 2016 schedule in full:
| Date | Format | Venue |
| 7.2.16 | 1st ODI * | Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni |
| 12.2.16 | 2nd ODI * | SuperSport Park, Centurion |
| 14.2.16 | 3rd ODI * | Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| 18.2.16 | 1st T20I | Boland Park, Paarl |
| 19.2.16 | 2nd T20I + | Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town |
| 21.2.16 | 3rd T20I + | Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
* ICC Women’s Championship fixture
+ Double-header with men’s T20I (South Africa v England)
Report courtesy of the ECB
