ICC Test Rankings: Neil Wagner Attains Career-Best Fifth Position

New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has attained the career-best fifth rank in the latest ICC Test rankings. The southpaw seamer scalped nine wickets in the second Wellington Test which helped his team win by a margin of an innings and 12 runs. Consequently, Wagner not only jumped by six places in the ICC Test rankings but also became the third Kiwi bowler to cross the 800 rating points barrier.

Wagner now has 801 rating points under his belt. Neil Wagner’s teammate Trent Boult has had the best rating points of 825 rating points. Furthermore, former legendary all-rounder Richard Hadlee had attained the career-best rating of 909 points in his illustrious career. These three bowlers are the only New Zealanders to surpass 800 rating points.

Trent Boult takes the seventh position.

Meanwhile, Tim Southee had attained the career-best rating of 799 points in June 2014. Neil Wagner is now the top-ranked bowler from his country but Trent Boult also moved by one position in the latest update to take the seventh position. Boult had scalped seven wickets in the second Test match as New Zealand took an impregnable lead of 2-0 in the series.

This unassailable lead has helped the Blackcaps in retaining their second position in the ICC Test rankings. Ross Taylor has gained 11 places in the rankings table as he has taken the 13th position after scoring a double century.

Henry Nicholls had made a jump of two places in the rankings after scoring a fine knock of 107 runs with the career-best ratings of 778 points. Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has retained his second position.

On the other hand, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah has attained his career-best 34th position after scoring 67 in the second innings. The right-hander vaulted by six positions in the rankings ladder.  Shadman Isman has moved four places from 102 to 98 whereas Mohammad Mithun has moved from 140 to 115th rank. Meanwhile, fast bowler Abu  Jayed, who took three wickets in the Wellington Test has ascended 18 places to perch at 77th rank.

Here is how the rankings stand: