ICC Test Rankings: New Zealanders Take Giant Strides in Latest Update

New Zealand players have gained in the latest update of the ICC Test rankings. The Kiwis southpaw opener Tom Latham has made a jump of one rank to get to the 11th rank. The left-hander had scored a majestic knock of 161 in the first Test match against Bangladesh, which the hosts won by an innings and 52 runs.

Neil Wagner who had taken seven wickets in the first match has also risen to the number 11 position. New Zealand had posted a gargantuan score of 715 runs in the first innings, which is their highest total in Test cricket.

Kane Williamson closes in the gap on Virat Kohli.

New Zealand opener Jeet Raval who scored a brilliant knock of 132 has made a jump of five spots to claim the 33rd rank. Meanwhile, it was Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson who took giant strides in the rankings.

The stylish batsman scored the second double hundred of his career, which helped him to get to a career-best rating of 915 points. Consequently, Williamson is only seven points away from Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

In fact, Williamson is only the second New Zealander to cross 900 rating points after Richard Hadlee. New Zealand has two more Test matches against Bangladesh, which will give a chance to Williamson to leapfrog Virat Kohli for the numero uno position.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh was able to make a solid comeback with the bat in the second innings. Tamim Iqbal scored a hundred in the first innings whereas Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar scored centuries in the second innings. Iqbal who scored 126 vaulted by 11 places to perch at 25th rank in the rankings table. Mahmudullah jumped by 12 places to take the 40th rank in the rankings ladder. Furthermore, Saumya Sarkar moved by 25 places to get to 67th rank.

On the other hand, Colin de Grandhomme who scored a quickfire knock of 76 runs off just 53 balls has moved by six places to take the 60th rank in the batting rankings.

Here are the batsmen rankings: