Ranking the Top 10 ODI Teams in 2018

2019 is about to arrive and it will be the most important year for the entire cricketing fraternity as the ICC Cricket World Cup is set to take place. The teams have toiled for over an year to get their team combinations right and to get a settled squad before the World Cup and a lot of match practice. Teams like Afghanistan and West Indies had to fight for their place in the Qualifiers.

In this segment, we shall take a look at where the top ODI teams stand with respect to their performances in 2018.

Rating System: Win Ratio + No. of matches won (Matches against teams who haven't qualified won't be counted)

Note: Teams with higher ranking will get ranked higher

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#10 Australia

Matches: 11

Won: 2

Lost: 9

Rating: 3.5

Australia had a torrid time this year in both ODIs and Tests post the suspensions of Steve Smith and Warner. They played ODIs only against England and South Africa this year and both the teams outplayed them.

In 10 ODIs against England, Australia were able to win only 1 game while England won the rest clearly justifying their position on the top of the ICC Rankings. Against South Africa, the Aussies won 1 out of 3 ODIs. Smith and Warner are set to return before the World Cup. However, the team's position seems uncertain and we will have to see what happens against India.

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#9 West Indies

Matches: 18

Won: 8

Lost: 9

Tied: 1

Rating: 5.5

West Indies had a forgettable year this time despite qualifying for the World Cup. They could manage only 3 wins against the Top 10 teams in ODIs and 5 of their 8 wins this year came against below par teams like Papua New Guinea, Scotland and U.A.E in the World Cup Qualifiers and they were beaten twice by Afghanistan in the same tournament.

They put up a fight against India winning and tying 1 game but they lost. They won just 2 out of 6 ODIs against Bangladesh. West Indies have found a couple of young stars but only time will tell if their squad has the strength to pose a real threat to other teams.

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#8 Pakistan

Matches: 18

Won: 8

Lost: 9

NR: 1

Rating: 6.5

Pakistan had a decent year in 2018 and dominated in T20Is and played well in Test matches. Their ODI results weren't that good as except for a clinical whitewash of below par Zimbabwe, there wasn't much to celebrate in the 50-over format for Pakistan.

They lost 6 out of 8 ODIs to New Zealand. They lost 2 out of 2 to India and lost 1 to Bangladesh as well in the Asia Cup. They beat Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the Asia Cup and despite having a good squad, the results haven't come against the top sides and Pakistan need to figure out what the issue is before the World Cup.

Sri Lanka blew hot and cold in the 50-over format in 2018

#7 Sri Lanka

Matches: 17

Won: 6

Lost: 10

NR: 1

Rating: 8.6

Sri Lanka have had a mixed year with many changes in their camp. A complete captaincy revamp was made and they had a below par season in ODIs. They lost to Afghanistan in the Asia Cup and lost 3 games to England in a 5-match series and lost 3 games in a 5-match series to South Africa as well.

Sri Lanka won one match and lose one against Zimbabwe. They also won two ODIs out of 4 against Bangladesh. The team needs to pull up their socks and get themselves prepared for the World Cup.

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#6 Afghanistan

Matches: 20

Won: 12

Lost: 7

Tied: 1

Rating: 10.7

Afghanistan seem to be the most improved team as they have played well in ODIs this year. Most of their exploits came against weaker sides in the ICC Qualifiers and a 5 match series against Zimbabwe which they won 4-2.

They also defeated Ireland 3-1 but lost once to both Scotland and Hong Kong before losing to Pakistan. They were excellent against India where they managed a tie and won 1 game out of 2 against Bangladesh. Afghanistan can throw a surprise to many of the teams in the World Cup.

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#5 South Africa

Matches: 17

Won: 9

Lost: 8

Rating: 11.3

South Africa have had a good year in Test cricket and a fair one as far as ODI cricket is concerned. They were pleased by the return to form of Dale Steyn and this adds more power to their venomous pace attack headed by Rabada who has looked exceptional.

They did a clean sweep of Zimbabwe and beat both Australia and Sri Lanka in 3-match and 5-match series but lost badly to India. They lost 5 games in the 6-match series post which they have improved tremendously. The Proteas have a strong team and will pose a title challenge.

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#4 New Zealand

Matches: 13

Won: 8

Lost: 4

NR: 1

Rating: 14.7

New Zealand had a nice year internationally as they dominated their opponents in both ODIs and Test Matches. They played their matches only against 2 opponents, Pakistan and England.

They have beaten Pakistan on 6 occasions in the 8 times they met this year while losing a closely contested series against England, 2-3. The Kiwis have strengthened their squad this year and with captain Kane Williamson in the form he is now, they will be strong contenders for the World Cup.

Bangladesh won home and away ODI series against the Windies

#3 Bangladesh

Matches: 20

Won: 13

Lost: 7

Rating: 15

Bangladesh surprisingly stand above New Zealand and SA but their performances justify their rating. They defeated Zimbabwe 5-0 in a 5-match series and were clinical during that series. They defeated West Indies both at home and away and have a 4-2 record against them.

Bangladesh beat Pakistan once in the Asia Cup and have a 1-1 record against Sri Lanka while losing both their games against India. While only a handful of players have performed, they have a lot of young talent and might surprise a few teams with their grit in the World Cup.

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#2 India

Matches: 20

Won: 14

Lost: 4

Tied: 2

Rating: 20.6

India have had one of the best years in all formats and they have discovered a lot of young talents while watching their star players perform with some authority. They won the Asia Cup which included a tie against Afghanistan and beat West Indies 3-1 in a 5-match series which saw another tie.

India also hammered South Africa 5-1 away from home. They lost to England 1-2 in a 3-match series which was their only series defeat. India have formed a solid squad and will be waiting for the World Cup to showcase their mettle.

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#1 England

Matches: 24

Won: 17

Lost: 6

NR: 1

Rating: 24.7

England have undoubtedly been the best ODI team of 2018 and have risen to the top of the ICC ODI Rankings with a spirited and entertaining brand of cricket. They defeated India 2-1 in the 3-match ODI Series while having a great record against Australia.

England have won 9 games out of 10 against Australia and beat New Zealand 3-2 and Sri Lanka 3-1 in 5-match ODI series. They suffered an embarrassing loss against Scotland but otherwise they have looked brilliant. They will be the biggest favorites to lift the World Cup on their home soil.