Published: Jul 19, 2017, 05:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 19, 2017, 05:02 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka veteran Rangana Herath has achieved new heights as he leapfrogged Ravichandran Ashwin to claim No. 2 spot in ICC Bowlers Test rankings. He not only grabbed his eighth 10-wicket haul but also took Sri Lanka to a historic four-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in Colombo on Tuesday. Herath climbed up within 32 points of top-ranked Ravindra Jadeja. Meanwhile, Ashwin slipped to third place. Herath is also the most successful left-arm spinner in Tests with tally of 384 wickets in 81 matches. Herath has a chance to topple Jadeja during the India tour. Zimbabwe might have lost the only Test but their captain Graeme Cremer has risen 20 places and achieved career-best 53rd position.
Cremer claimed 9 wickets in the Test against Sri Lanka. The rankings also include the performances of the second Test between England and South Africa. Keshav Maharaj has moved up 12 slots to 26th position. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has competition in James Anderson as both the pacers are tied in fourth position. Among batsmen, three skippers — Steven Smith of Australia, Joe Root at England and Kane Williamson of New Zealand — occupy the top three spots. India’s Cheteshwar Pujara is at the fourth spot while his skipper Virat Kohli completes the top five.
Within the top 10, South Africa’s Hashim Amla has been the biggest ‘riser’, going up six spots to take seventh position while India’s KL Rahul, out of action for the most part of the home season, dropped to No. 10.
The all-rounder’s chart witnessed no major change apart from Vernon Philander. He rose by two spots to occupy the No. 5 position in the rankings led by Shakib Al Hasan, followed by Jadeja, Ashwin and Moeen Ali.
