Series defeat leaves Windies languishing

LONDON (CMC):

West Indies' historic series defeat last weekend has left them a single ratings point from joining Bangladesh in ninth spot in the International Cricket Council Test team rankings.

In the latest numbers announced yesterday, West Indies were still eighth but lost six points to slip to 70 ratings points. Bangladesh are ninth on 69 after picking up eight points.

India remain number one ahead of their much anticipated series with Australia, starting tomorrow in Adelaide.

The Caribbean side's misfortune in the latest rankings stems from their 2-0 whitewash at the hands of the Tigers - their first-ever on Bangladeshi soil.

They lost the first Test in Chittagong by 64 runs before suffering a humiliating innings and 184-run defeat in Dhaka inside three days last weekend.

The latest rankings news comes as a huge blow to the Windies, especially on the heels of decent results in the Test format earlier this year.

West Indies drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka in a three-Test series in the Caribbean and trounced Bangladesh 2-0 in the subsequent two-match series.

And while they suffered a setback last month, with comprehensive defeats in both Tests on the tour of India, they were expected to overcome Bangladesh, who had never before beaten a full-strength Windies side.

STEADY TEST DECLINE

The Windies decline in Tests has been a steady one, having lost 11 of 19 matches, won six, and drawn two inside the last two years.

Significantly, their fortunes in the Test arena mirror those in the one-day and T20 formats. Windies lie ninth in ODIs, only above minnows Afghanistan, who are already hovering dangerously, only five points behind in 10th.

Their lowly ranking saw them being forced to play an ICC qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe earlier this year alongside the likes of Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, and Papua New Guinea in order to book their spot at the 50-overs World Cup in England next year.

They have managed just five wins in 28 ODIs over the last two years and are without a series win in four years.

West Indies have also struggled in the shortest format ever since winning their second T20 World Cup two years ago in India, losing 13 of 21 matches to slump to seventh in the rankings.