New Zealand speedster Kyle Jamieson has reached career-high third rank in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) latest Test rankings. With 825 rating points to his name, he is only behind Pat Cummins and Ravichandran Ashwin. Jamieson, previously ranked ninth, is one of three New Zealand bowlers to be in the top 10 of the Test bowlers ranking. The list features only one Indian bowler, as Ashwin maintains his second place.
With eight wickets in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, 27-year-old Jamieson has made good progress in the standings. Last year, against India, he was able to pick eight wickets along with four in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Despite defeat against Bangladesh, the right-arm pacer was still able to make a big leap in the standings.
Australia skipper Cummins though has dropped crucial rating points, but still managed to maintain his top place. The draw at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) saw him scalp four wickets, to see off the competition from Ashwin. The Indian spinner was on the losing side against South Africa in Johannesburg and ended with just one wicket to his name. Josh Hazlewood remains the only other Australian player in the top 10 despite missing few Tests due to injury. On the other hand, Kagiso Rabada experienced a drop by one place. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali are the two Pakistan players who complete the top 10 list.
In the batting department, there are no changes as Virat Kohli hangs on to his ninth position while teammate Rohit Sharma remains fifth despite being absent from India's ongoing tour of South Africa. Australia's Marnus Labuschagne tops the ranking with England captain Joe Root at second followed by Steve Smith and Kane Williamson in third and fourth place respectively. South Africa skipper Dean Elgar was successful in guiding his team to win against India with an unbeaten 96, also features at number 10 in the rankings.
With India playing South Africa in the third Test match at Newlands in Cape Town and Australia playing England in the fifth and final Ashes Test at Hobart, there could be significant movement in the ICC rankings next Wednesday. India rank first in the team rankings, while New Zealand and Australia remain on second and third place respectively. Apart from the ICC rankings, teams will also be poised to add points to their name in the WTC rankings as the race heats up.
