ENG v WI 2020: Ben Stokes pips Jason Holder to become No.1 all-rounder in ICC Test rankings

Stokes has also climbed to the third spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen.

Ben Stokes | AFPAfter guiding his team to a series-levelling 113-run victory in the second Test against West Indies at Old Trafford, England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has made significant strides in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings.

See Also: Joe Root in awe of 'Mr. Incredible' Ben Stokes after latter’s heroics at Old Trafford

Stokes overtook Caribbean skipper Jason Holder to become the world’s top-ranked Test all-rounder while also achieving a career-best third position among batsmen in the updated rankings table.

Stokes, who was 54 rating points behind Holder going into the second Test in Manchester, has now taken a lead of 38 points after his knocks of 176, 78 not out and a match haul of three wickets.

With his all-round heroics, Stokes didn’t only end Holder’s 18-month reign at the top but also became the first England cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in May 2006 to reach the summit.

Among batsmen, Stokes is the joint-third with Marnus Labuschagne. Only Steve Smith (1st) and Virat Kohli (2nd) are ahead of the English cricketer while specialists such as Kane Williamson (5th), Babar Azam (6th) and Joe Root (9th) are below him in the chart.

Dom Sibley was the other England player who made significant gains in the rankings. Thanks to his 120 in the first innings at Old Trafford, Sibley advanced 29 places to a career-best 35th position.

Stuart Broad, who was dropped in the first Test against West Indies, returned to the top 10 after picking up three wickets in each innings. He is now England’s top-ranked bowler, one slot ahead of James Anderson, who dropped to 11th after being rested for the match. Chris Woakes, who claimed five in the match to reach the 100-wicket mark, is in 21st spot, his highest since late 2016.

For the West Indies, Shamarh Brooks has jumped up 27 places to a career-best 45th position after scores of 68 and 62. Roston Chase has moved two places in the bowlers’ list after a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

(With ICC inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 21 Jul, 2020

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