ODI MVP Rankings: Ian Bell rises up standings after excellent Tri-Series form

A resurgent Ian Bell, plus the return of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, has given England cause for optimism ahead of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Bell, reinstated at the top of England’s ODI order after the axing of Alastair Cook, plundered 247 runs at better than a run-a-ball in the recently concluded Tri-Series with India and Australia.

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Anderson and Broad, meanwhile, gave Eoin Morgan’s attack a cutting edge that was missing in Sri Lanka, meaning they and Bell are England’s highest ODI MVP points-scorers since the rankings began in 2007.

Bell has shown this kind of form before, having topped the ODI MVP in consecutive MVP campaigns, 2012 and 2012-13.

In 2012, against the West Indies, Australia and South Africa, he amassed 549 runs at a strike rate of 83 runs per 100 balls with a hundred, four fifties and two forties from 12 innings. He only failed to reach double figures in one match and contributed 24.83% of the team’s ODI runs that summer.

The following winter he consolidated that form with 366 runs against India and New Zealand at a strike rate of 76 runs per 100 balls including one hundred and two fifties from eight innings. Once again, there was just the solitary single-figure score.

Strings

Bell is up to fifth in this year’s ODI MVP having been dropped for five matches in Sri Lanka but his points-per-game average is second only to his opening partner Moeen Ali, who has two strings to his cricketing bow.

Anderson, exceptional in his four outings in the Tri-Series, concedes his runs at just 3.63 runs per over, leading the economy rates by a considerable distance.

Ali concedes at 4.72, James Tredwell at 4.76, Joe Root at 5.19 and the next best seamer, Steven Finn, is fifth at 5.43.

Anderson is England’s leading ODI points-scorer since the MVP Rankings began in 2007 (884.84), with Broad 15 points behind in second and Bell a further 90 points adrift.

Ali, meanwhile, has quietly opened up a gap of 25 points on Chris Woakes at the top of the rankings in this winter’s campaign.

The Worcestershire all-rounder has scored 355 runs and taken 12 wickets having been an ever-present for England this winter. He’s second in the economy rates to Anderson as previously mentioned and top of the strike rates with bat in hand scoring at 106 runs per 100 balls.

The Worcestershire player scored a magnificent 119 off 87 balls in Colombo against Sri Lanka and whilst unable to reach those heights in the Tri-Series he’s chipped in with bat and ball. He never went for more than five runs per over and in three games went for less than four. He also picked up seven wickets.

THE FORMULA

The MVP is a cumulative points system that rewards players for every run scored, wicket taken and catch held - and, how well they do it. A player achieves bonus points based in certain criteria. An overview of the formula is set out below:

Batting + Bowling + Fielding + Captaincy + Winning = Total MVP points

Batting: The basis of the batting points take into account runs scored, the rate scored at, and the percentage of the team's total. Batting bonus points are achieved for reaching a century, achieving a benchmark run-rate (varies per tournament, i.e. 1.5 runs per ball in the Twenty20), and scoring over 30% of a team's runs

Bowling: The basis for the bowling points take into account the number of wickets and economy rates. Bowlers achieve higher points for getting out higher order batsmen Bowling bonus points are achieved for achieving a benchmark economy rate (varies per tournament, i.e. fewer than 6 runs per over in Twenty20), taking 5 or more wickets in an innings, and bowling maidens.

Fielding: Points are accumulated for catches, run outs - direct hits, run outs – assists, stumpings, with bonuses for 5 fielding dismissals in an innings.

Captaincy: A captain of a winning side will receive one bonus point

Winning teams: All members of a winning team receive one bonus point

You can watch every match of the 2015 ICC World Cup live on our dedicated channel Sky Sports World Cup, starting with New Zealand against Sri Lanka from 10pm on Friday 13 February.

Before then don’t miss our World Cup Preview Show, with Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, from 8pm on Friday on the same channel.