Rabada, Philander moves up in ICC Rankings

Jan.9 (CRICKETNMORE) - Kagiso Rabada has become the number-one ranked bowler in the ICC Test Player Rankings after helping South Africa to an exciting 72 run victory over India in the first Test at Newlands on Monday. 

Rabada’s team-mate Philander is the other bowler inside the top-20 to make an impressive gain. For his match figures of nine for 75, which also earned him the player of the match award, the 32-year-old has earned 67 points, which, in turn, has lifted him from 12th to sixth position.

Philander now trails Australia’s sixth-ranked Josh Hazlewood by eight points and has an opportunity to break into the top-five following the Centurion Test, which begins on Saturday, 13 January.

Outside the top-20, India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins of Australia have achieved career-high rankings.

Kumar has vaulted eight places to 22nd following figures of four for 87 and two for 33, while Cummins has leaped eight places and is now in 28th position after match figures of eight for 119, which also earned him the player of the match award.

ICC Test Bowlers Rankings (as on 9 January, following the conclusion of Cape Town and Sydney Tests):

Kohli, Pujara slip in latest ICC Test rankings

Rank      (+/-)         Player                    Team     Points    

   1           (+1)         Kagiso Rabada    SA           888

   2           (-1)          James Anderson Eng         887        

   3           ( - )          Ravindra Jadeja  Ind          861         

   4           ( - )          R. Ashwin              Ind          830        

   5           ( - )          Josh Hazlewood  Aus         814         

   6           (+6)         Vernon Philander  SA          806         

   7           (-1)          Rangana Herath  SL           799         

   8           (-1)          Neil Wagner         NZ           784        

   9=        ( - )          Nathan Lyon         Aus         769         

                (-1)          Mitchell Starc        Aus         769         

  11         (-1)          Morne Morkel       SA           754      

  12         (-1)          Dale Steyn            SA           737       

  13         ( - )          Trent Boult            NZ           725   

  14         (+1)         Yasir Shah            Pak         704       

  15         (-1)          Stuart Broad         Eng         683      

  16         (+1)         Tim Southee         NZ           682       

  17         (-1)          Keshav Maharaj  SA           671

  18         ( - )          Shakib Al Hasan  Ban         668         

  19         ( - )          M. Shami               Ind          649

  20         ( - )          Kemar Roach       Win         612