Rabada, Philander moves up in ICC Rankings
Jan.9 (CRICKETNMORE) - Kagiso Rabada has become the number-one ranked bowler in the ICC Test Player Rankings after helping South Africa to an exciting 72 run victory over India in the first Test at Newlands on Monday.
Rabada’s team-mate Philander is the other bowler inside the top-20 to make an impressive gain. For his match figures of nine for 75, which also earned him the player of the match award, the 32-year-old has earned 67 points, which, in turn, has lifted him from 12th to sixth position.
Philander now trails Australia’s sixth-ranked Josh Hazlewood by eight points and has an opportunity to break into the top-five following the Centurion Test, which begins on Saturday, 13 January.
Outside the top-20, India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins of Australia have achieved career-high rankings.
Kumar has vaulted eight places to 22nd following figures of four for 87 and two for 33, while Cummins has leaped eight places and is now in 28th position after match figures of eight for 119, which also earned him the player of the match award.
ICC Test Bowlers Rankings (as on 9 January, following the conclusion of Cape Town and Sydney Tests):
Kohli, Pujara slip in latest ICC Test rankings
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points
1 (+1) Kagiso Rabada SA 888
2 (-1) James Anderson Eng 887
3 ( - ) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 861
4 ( - ) R. Ashwin Ind 830
5 ( - ) Josh Hazlewood Aus 814
6 (+6) Vernon Philander SA 806
7 (-1) Rangana Herath SL 799
8 (-1) Neil Wagner NZ 784
9= ( - ) Nathan Lyon Aus 769
(-1) Mitchell Starc Aus 769
11 (-1) Morne Morkel SA 754
12 (-1) Dale Steyn SA 737
13 ( - ) Trent Boult NZ 725
14 (+1) Yasir Shah Pak 704
15 (-1) Stuart Broad Eng 683
16 (+1) Tim Southee NZ 682
17 (-1) Keshav Maharaj SA 671
18 ( - ) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 668
19 ( - ) M. Shami Ind 649
20 ( - ) Kemar Roach Win 612