August 21 (CRICKETNMORE) - Alastair Cook has moved up in the latest ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen following a stellar performance in the day/night Test against the Windies, which England won by an innings and 209 runs at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Cook not only walked away with the Player of the Match award for his 243, but his fourth career double-century also earned him six points that has put him in sixth spot in the latest rankings, which were released on Sunday morning.
This is Cook’s highest ranking since he surged to number five in March 2013.
Cook, who achieved a career-high second place in September 2011, now has Virat Kohli firmly within his sights as the England opener is just eight points behind the India captain.
England captain Joe Root has returned to the 900-point mark following his 13th career century. For scoring 136, Root received 14 points, which has taken him to 905 points – 36 behind Australia captain Steve Smith, who will defend his number-one ranking in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh.
Top 10 Batsmen in ICC Test Player Rankings (as on 20th August 2017)
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points
1 ( - ) Steve Smith Aus 941
2 ( - ) Joe Root Eng 905
3 ( - ) Kane Williamson NZ 880
4 ( - ) C. Pujara Ind 876
5 ( - ) Virat Kohli Ind 806
6 (+6) Alastair Cook Eng 798
7 ( - ) Azhar Ali Pak 769
8 ( - ) Hashim Amla SA 764
9 ( - ) Lokesh Rahul Ind 761
10 ( - ) Ajinkya Rahane Ind 760
ICC Media Release