ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings 2025 – Latest Standings & Major Shifts
As of the most recent update from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on May 3, 2025, the Australian cricket team continues its reign at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. Meanwhile, England has made a commendable leap, climbing two places to grab the coveted second spot.
With the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–2025 cycle nearing its grand finale—scheduled at Lord’s on June 11, 2025, where Australia will take on South Africa—team rankings have witnessed subtle yet significant shifts. These changes echo recent on-field performances, strategic squad rotations, and the evolving dominance of global cricketing nations.
ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings – May 2025
The table below presents the latest Test team rankings, reflecting the intense competition and strategic brilliance displayed over the past year:
| Position | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 25 | 3139 | 126 |
| 2 | England | 33 | 3716 | 113 |
| 3 | South Africa | 21 | 2325 | 111 |
| 4 | India | 27 | 2837 | 105 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 22 | 2094 | 95 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 24 | 2078 | 87 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 22 | 1705 | 78 |
| 8 | West Indies | 22 | 1613 | 73 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 24 | 1487 | 62 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 10 | 128 | 13 |
🇦🇺 Australia – Unwavering at No. 1
Australia continues to dominate the Test arena, exhibiting unmatched consistency and depth across formats. A series of commanding victories—including:
- A 2-0 sweep against New Zealand,
- A 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win at home against India,
- And a 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka,
has fortified their position as the top-ranked Test side. As defending World Test Champions, Australia now eyes back-to-back WTC titles as they head into the final against South Africa.
🏴 England – Strategic Rise to Second Place
England’s climb to second place reflects their well-executed plans and revitalized squad. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes and the ever-reliable Joe Root, they achieved a notable 2-1 series win over New Zealand, showing resilience in foreign conditions.
This revival places them in a strong position to challenge the top-tier nations ahead of the WTC final.
🇿🇦 South Africa – Consistency Meets Opportunity
South Africa’s Test squad has quietly but effectively built momentum through clean sweeps:
- 2-0 against Pakistan,
- 2-0 over Sri Lanka, and
- A significant 2-0 win in Bangladesh.
Their ability to adapt to different conditions has paid off, earning them a spot in the WTC 2023-25 final against Australia. They currently hold 3rd position in the rankings but are a formidable contender for the crown.
🇮🇳 India – Facing a Period of Transition
The Indian Test team has encountered turbulence in recent months. A disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 series loss in Australia, led to a slip in rankings to 4th place.
Despite these setbacks, India’s bench strength remains robust, with emerging players gradually taking on leadership roles. The road to resurgence has begun.
🇳🇿 New Zealand – Historic Wins Amid Mixed Results
New Zealand achieved a landmark moment with a 3-0 clean sweep of India on Indian soil—their first-ever series victory in India. Although they suffered a 2-1 defeat to England later, their historic achievement keeps them in 5th position, proving their capability to challenge the best.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Flashes of Brilliance, Search for Consistency
Sri Lanka lost 2-0 at home to Australia but showed promise in both matches. Their young squad has glimpses of brilliance, and with continued development, they could soon threaten higher-ranked teams. They currently hold the 6th spot in the standings.
🇵🇰 Pakistan – A Mixed Bag of Results
Pakistan has shown potential but struggled with consistency. They managed a 2-0 home series win over Bangladesh, but faltered in a 2-1 loss to England. Their 7th-place ranking reflects a team in transition, still seeking the right formula to excel.
🇯🇲 West Indies – Spirited But Inconsistent
West Indies demonstrated grit with a 1-1 series draw against Pakistan. While talent is emerging, inconsistency continues to hamper their progress. They remain at 8th in the ICC Men’s Test Rankings, striving for greater stability.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh – Struggles Continue, But Hope Persists
Bangladesh has endured a tough stretch, losing 2-0 at home to South Africa. However, a fighting 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe showed signs of resilience. As they rebuild and invest in youth, their long-term outlook remains optimistic.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe – Experience Over Results
With limited Test exposure, Zimbabwe struggles to make headway in rankings. A 1-1 draw against Bangladesh and a loss to Ireland highlight their challenges. They stay at 10th place, yet continue to gain valuable experience in Test cricket.
🔼 Biggest Movers in May 2025 Rankings
- Top Gainer: England, climbing from 4th to 2nd after a solid away series win.
- Notable Drops: India and South Africa each slipped one position due to recent losses and tight competition.
- Unchanged: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe retained their previous positions, reflecting either consistency or lack of recent fixtures.
🔮 Road Ahead – WTC Final: Australia vs South Africa
The rankings have set the stage for an epic clash at Lord’s between Australia and South Africa, determining the World Test Champion for the 2023–25 cycle. Australia, the current titleholder, will look to repeat history, while South Africa aims to clinch their maiden WTC title.
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📌 Conclusion: Rankings Reflect Global Test Cricket Momentum
The ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings as of May 2025 capture the dynamic nature of modern Test cricket. From Australia’s sustained dominance to England’s inspiring comeback, the shifts signal a thrilling future for the format. Lower-ranked teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh continue to work toward competitiveness, while giants like India seek to return to form.
Each series remains pivotal—not just for championship contention, but also for shaping the global Test hierarchy.
