Root won the top ranking in a golden run of batsmanship over the last English summer. But, Root’s mixed performance in the first Test in Pakistan and Labuschagne’s strong showing against the West Indies saw a significant shake-up in the leadership.
Test Batting Rankings
Wednesday saw the ICC release their latest update on their player rankings. Labuschagne won top spot from Root, and also achieved a career high rating.
Labuschagne recorded scores of 204* and104* against West Indies during the Test in Perth. That helped Australia No.3 rise to 935 rating point and take the top ranking.
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Labuschagne is now just one rating point away from his 936 best-ever rating. He achieved this rating after playing in Pakistan earlier, and it has Labuschagne on the brink of reaching the top 10 ratings for batters all time.
With his performance in the second Test in Adelaide this Week, Virat Kohli and Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies), the right-hander will have the opportunity to pass them. Steve Smith, on the other hand will be looking for more rating points. Root’s ranking has moved him up to second.
All-Time Test Batting Rankings
Smith struck a double-century against the West Indies, which helped Smith to take second place in the rankings. He had 893 rating points and was just ahead of Root (876) and Babar Azam (879) as Pakistan’s captain.
Australia captain Pat Cummins remains in command of the Test bowler rankings. However his gap has been narrowed following an impressive performance by two England bowlers in their thrilling first Test win over Pakistan at Rawalpindi.
Test Bowling Rankings
James Anderson, Evergreen’s pacer, and Ollie Roberts, his quick counterpart caught five wickets each during the exciting contest. The pair were then rewarded with eye-catching moves within the top 10 bowler charts.
Anderson rises two places to third. Robinson jumps to 754 points for a career high and climbs seven places to eighth overall.
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There was also movement in the latest ODI rankings with a pair experienced spinners benefiting the most from recent performances.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan rises to sixth place overall, following his four wickets against Sri Lanka. Shakib al Hasan, another tweaker, improves seven places to ninth after his five-wicket victory against India at Mirpur.
Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings
Trent Boult of New Zealand is still No.1 in ODI bowling, while Matt Henry from New Zealand has moved one place to the fourth. This was after their series against India.
One change to the latest rankings of ODI batters has been that of a pair, Kane Williamson from New Zealand rising to eighth and Kohli falling to 10th.
Men’s ODI Batting Rankings
Babar and Imam-ul-Haq from Pakistan remain the most prominent two batters on the ODI rankings, with South Africa’s Rassie Van der Dussen (and Quinton de Kock) and Australia’s David Warner finishing in the top five.