India’s seasoned Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has climbed one place to occupy the third spot among Test batsmen in the latest rankings released by the International Cricket Council on Monday (December 18).
Pujara, who finished the recently concluded three-match Test series against Sri Lanka with 289 runs at an average of 57.80, currently boasts of 873 rating points in the list of Test batsmen. Australia skipper Steve Smith is leading the table whereas Indian captain Virat Kohli is slotted at the second position.
Smith’s marathon knock of 239 in the most recently concluded Perth Test, saw him attain the joint second highest Test batting ratings ever. With 945 rating points to his name, Smith is currently placed at the second spot alongside England’s Len Hutton in the all-time list. Only the legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman is ahead of Smith with a staggering tally of 961 rating points. In the past 12 months, Smith has had a minimum of 918 rating points, which is 25 more than the current second-ranked Test batsman Virat Kohli.
Besides, New Zealand and England Test skipper Kane Williamson and Joe Root are also there in top 5. Australia’s dashing opener David Warner, who scored two Test centuries in the tough conditions of Bangladesh in September, is placed at the 6th spot while Hashim Amla, Azhar Ali, Dinesh Chandimal and Ross Taylor are respectively slotted at the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th position.
As far as the Test bowling list is concerned – England paceman James Anderson is leading the pack with 892 rating points whereas speedster Kagiso Rabada is slotted at second position. India’s spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin continued to hold the third and fourth place followed by Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
ICC Test batting rankings:
Rank | Name | Team | Rating |
1 | S.P.D. Smith | AUS | 945 |
2 | V. Kohli | IND | 893 |
3 | C.A. Pujara | IND | 873 |
4 | K.S. Williamson | NZ | 855 |
5 | J.E. Root | ENG | 852 |
6 | D.A. Warner | AUS | 801 |
7 | H.M. Amla | RSA | 795 |
8 | Azhar Ali | PAK | 755 |
9 | L.D. Chandimal | SL | 743 |
10 | L.R.P.L. Taylor | NZ | 739 |
ICC Test bowling rankings:
Rank | Name | Team | Rating |
1 | J.M. Anderson | ENG | 892 |
2 | K. Rabada | RSA | 876 |
3 | R.A. Jadeja | IND | 870 |
4 | R. Ashwin | IND | 829 |
5 | J.R. Hazlewood | AUS | 824 |
6 | H.M.R.K.B. Herath | SL | 799 |
7 | N. Wagner | NZ | 784 |
8 | M.A. Starc | AUS | 782 |
9 | N.M. Lyon | AUS | 773 |
10 | D.W. Steyn | RSA | 738 |