Kane Williamson Returns To The Top Of ICC Test Batting Rankings

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, on Wednesday, climbed back to the top of the Test rankings as ICC announced the latest standings. Kane Williamson enjoyed a memorable last week as he captained New Zealand to the World Test Championship, beating India by eight wickets in Southampton. Along with that, the 30-year old reclaimed the top spot that he held at the start of the England tour.

Kane Williamson dropped down to number two after the two-Test series against England as Steve Smith topped the rankings briefly. The right-handed batsman inability to get going in the first Test against England, followed by missing the second due to a minor niggle, slid him to the second position. But Williamson’s stellar showing in the World Test Championship final against India meant that he returned to the summit.

He struck 49 and 52* in the first and second innings respectively to take the number one spot in the Test rankings. Williamson made a patient 49 off 177 balls in the first innings, playing a crucial role in gaining a handy 32-run lead. The second innings saw the Tauranga-born cricketer make a classy half-century and share an unbroken 96-runs stand with Ross Taylor as the Black Caps chased 140 successfully. Williamson now has 901 rating points, ten above Smith

Kane Williamson’s teammates gain in the rankings too:

Ross Taylor, who made 47 in the second innings of the decider, has advanced three spots to 14th, while opener Devon Conway has surged to 42nd place, gaining 18 slots after top-scoring with 54 in the first innings.

Kyle Jamieson’s figures of 5-31 and 2-30 that earned him the man of the match pushed him to a career-best 13th spot Trent Boult’s handy contributions have lifted him to the 11th position, while Neil Wagner and Tim Southee have occupied the third and fifth slot respectively.

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