Veteran England pacer James Anderson has been a shining light for his team who are having a gloomy outing in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 series. The visitors have lost the series after being defeated in the first three Tests by humiliating margins and Australia retained the urn.

However, Anderson, 39, rose in the latest update of the ICC rankings in the Test bowlers’ list, thanks to his 4/33 in the latest Test in Melbourne. He broke into the top five bowlers moving up three spots.

It was Anderson who drew first blood and dismissed David Warner on the stroke of stumps on Day 1 after England were bowled out for 185 in reply to Australia’s 267 runs. Unfortunately, Anderson didn’t get to bowl again in the match as England were bowled out for 68 runs and lost the third Test by an innings and 14 runs to go 0-3 down in the series.

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Amongst the other bowlers in the match, Scott Boland directly debuted at No.74 in the Test Bowling Rankings. He was named the Player of the Match for his sensational 6/7 in England second innings at MCG.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc moved to the fifth spot in the Test all-rounders’ rankings after picking up five wickets across two innings in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He also made a handy contribution of 24* that helped extend Australia's lead to 82.

(ICC inputs)