ICC Test Bowlers' Ranking: Ravichandran Ashwin Slips To Third, Ravindra Jadeja Continues To Lead

Sri Lanka’s spin spearhead Rangana Herath has leapfrogged Ravichandran Ashwin to take the second position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers. The left-arm spinner surpassed the Indian star after his starring role in the recently-concluded Test against Zimbabwe where he took his eighth 10-wicket match haul with figures of 11 for 249 as Sri Lanka won the one-off Test. India’s left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja continues to lead the standings.

BREAKING: Sri Lanka's @HerathRSL is up to second in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Bowling Rankings!https://t.co/oO2ntBrbtC pic.twitter.com/5wJvNAOL2v

— ICC (@ICC) July 19, 2017

South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has also made significant gains in the standing after playing a pivotal role in the Proteas’ massive 340-run win over England in the second Test at Trent Bridge. The spinner has moved up 12 slots to 26th position after grabbing six wickets in the series-levelling win. The 27-year old’s 543 points is the fourth highest by a South Africa spinner since the country’s return to Test cricket in 1992. Paul Harris (705), Paul Adams (588) and Nicky Boje (545) are the only South Africa spinners with higher point tallies in this period.

The batsmen’s ranking, meanwhile, has a stable look with the top six retaining their places. Australia captain Steve Smith is leading the list, followed by Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock. South Africa opener Hashim Amla has returned ton the top ten after scoring two half-centuries in the Trent Bridge Test. The 34-year old, who scored 78 and 87, has jumped six spots to be placed seventh.

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has continued to lead the allrounder’s list and is followed by Jadeja, Ashwin and Moeen Ali. Vernon Philander has jumped two places to fifth after scoring 96 runs and picking up five wickets at Trent Bridge.