Ravichandran Ashwin Remains Top Test Bowler as Ashes Sparks Ranking Changes
India’s spinner Ravichandran Ashwin continues to hold his position as the top-ranked Test bowler in the latest ICC rankings. Despite the action-packed Ashes series, which resulted in some changes to the rankings, Ashwin remained unmatched with his exceptional bowling skills.
England put up a strong fight in the second half of the Ashes series, leading to a tie at 2-2. As a result, several English players were rewarded with improved rankings. Former captain Joe Root rose to the second spot on the Test batter rankings, with only New Zealand veteran Kane Williamson ahead of him. Another notable improvement was made by young batter Harry Brook, who moved up two places to claim the ninth spot and achieved a new career-high rating after scoring an impressive 363 runs in the series.
England’s Stuart Broad, who recently announced his retirement, also gained recognition for his exceptional performance in the Ashes. Broad climbed four spots to secure the fourth position overall, with his remarkable tally of 22 wickets during the series. Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, Broad’s teammates, were also acknowledged for their strong finish to the Ashes. Wood rose two spots to 21st position, achieving a new career-high rating, while Woakes moved up eight places to 23rd.
The Ashes series also had an impact on the rankings of players from other countries. Australia’s veteran pacer Mitchell Starc rose two spots to claim the 12th position after taking 23 wickets, while spinner Todd Murphy enjoyed a significant jump of nine places to occupy the 57th position, achieving a new career-high rating.
In the neighboring country, Pakistan, the unbeaten start to the new ICC World Test Championship cycle led to commendable progress for several players on the rankings. Abdullah Shafique shot up an impressive 27 places to claim the 21st position among Test batters after Pakistan’s victory in their second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Mohammad Rizwan also rose four spots to equal 29th, and Agha Salman moved up 23 positions to secure the 35th spot.
Pakistan’s bowlers were not left behind, with rising pacer Naseem Shah moving up seven spots to equal 37th, and left-arm spinner Noman Ali improving by 13 places to occupy the 42nd spot.
In the ODI rankings, experienced Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav significantly rose eight places to secure the 14th position among ODI bowlers, thanks to his impressive performance against the West Indies. Meanwhile, emerging top-order player Ishan Kishan also enjoyed a remarkable ascent of 15 places to equal 45th on the corresponding rankings for ODI batters, after delivering consecutive half-centuries.
As the latest rankings reflect the performances of players in recent series, they serve as a testament to the dedication and skills displayed by these cricketers. The rankings not only showcase the outstanding achievements of individuals but also demonstrate the continued competitiveness and strength of teams across the cricketing world.
Overall, the latest ICC rankings highlight the notable performances and changes within the realm of Test and ODI cricket. As players strive to achieve excellence and make their mark, these rankings provide an exciting and dynamic outlook for the future of the sport.
