Michael Vaughan has slammed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Test ranking system. Currently, India are ranked number one followed by New Zealand, South Africa, England and Australia.
Michael Vaughan has slammed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Test ranking system. Currently, India are ranked number one followed by New Zealand, South Africa, England and Australia.
The former England captain has termed the whole points system as "absolute garbage" after seeing New Zealand and England in the second and fourth spot respectively.
"I will be dead honest about the ICC rankings. I think they are absolute garbage," Vaughan was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I have no idea how - New Zealand have won plenty of series over the course of the last two years - but for them to be to be second, and where it stands out for me that the rankings can't be right is that England in Test match cricket are third, and England for three or four years have struggled in Test match cricket, particularly overseas," he said.
The 45-year-old also said that the ranking is confusing.
"They have won a series at home. They have only just drawn the Ashes in English conditions, they only just beat Ireland. I think the rankings are a little bit confusing.
"I certainly don't, in my opinion, have New Zealand as the second-best Test match nation in the world. I think, particularly over here in Australia, Australia are a far better Test match team."
Vaughan also said that the current Indian squad is the only team that can trouble the Australians.
"I think there are two teams, India and Australia, they are the best Test match teams in the world, without question. I think there is only one team that can come here and put Australia under pressure, that was 12 months ago, that they won here, India," he said.
"There was no Smith, no Warner, no (Marnus) Labuschagne in that series, I think the series later on next year, when India arrive back here, hopefully, everyone will be fit.
"That Indian attack has got the pace, it has also got the spin, the batting unit has got all the experience. I only see only one team at this stage that can compete with Australia here and that is India."
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