ICC to introduce women’s ODI rankings

Women’s cricket takes another step towards integrating with the game at large with the ICC introducing ODI Player rankings. The rankings will be launched in October, ahead of India’s tour to Australia.

The news comes ahead of a busy year for women’s cricket, with two World Cups — 50 over and Twenty20 — to be played in the first half of next year.

The rankings, expected to raise the profile of the game and bring the spotlight on top players, have been put together by the same statistical experts who have put together the ODI Player Rankings for men.

The ICC decided to consider one-dayers only since a majority of women’s matches are played in that format.

Since 1934 131 women’s Tests have been played by 10 teams, with only Australia, England, India and New Zealand featuring in more than three each. The same logic applies to Twenty20s, of which only 19 have been played since 2004.

Lisa Sthalekar, the Australian vice-captain, said the introduction of the rankings would generate a lot of interest and competition among players and provide an additional challenge for each series.

“Not only will you want to help your team win the series but you will also want to improve your own individual rating as well. Hopefully the battle to be the number one in the batting and bowling ratings will generate a lot more media interest as well in women’s cricket,”

she said.

“Previously we have only had the Player of the Series award at major events and the Women’s Player of the Year at the ICC awards to give us any indication on who the best players in the women’s game are,”

she added.

Jhulan Goswami said

“it will increase the competition amongst the players, as everyone will want to be the number one player.”

Charlotte Edwards said

“we need to make sure that women’s cricket uses the next twelve months, where we have two major international events.