[2] The intention was to produce a better indication of players' current standing in the sport than is provided by comparing their averages.
Career averages are based on a player's entire career and do not make any allowance for match conditions or the strength of the opposition, whereas the ratings are weighted towards recent form and account for match conditions and the quality of the opponent using statistical algorithms.
Both sets of rankings have now been calculated back to the start of those forms of the game.
The rankings include the top 10 Test, ODI and T20I batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders based on the rating of each player.
Each match performance is given a rating out of 1000, based on a set of pre-determined criteria, and these figures averaged.