South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s four-wicket haul against England in the final game of the three-match Royal London series at iconic Lord’s cricket ground, has helped the paceman to go past his teammate and leg-spin bowler Imran Tahir as the ODIs world no.1 bowler, in the latest rankings released by world cricket governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old lanky fast bowler Rabada ripped apart the England’s quality batting lineup at the Lord’s when he picked four wickets, as England eventually lost six wickets inside five overs at the score of just 20.
Interestingly, South Africa is listed at the top of the table, in ICC ODI team rankings which further sees AB de Villiers maintaining his place in the ODI batting rankings.
Despite giving their best in the second game, the Proteas lost the thriller on the last ball, as they went on to win the dead-rubber by seven wickets after chasing down the target of 154 in 28.5 overs to see England clinch the series 2-1.
The leg-spinner in the form of Imran Tahir has slipped to number second spot while having the rating points as 722, whereas, Rabada claimed 724 points after knocking down England on a surface which proved to be fruitful for bowlers which further offered a hint of swing, as English batters were left clueless.
Interestingly, Rabada, who celebrated his birthday on May 25, has also become the second youngest bowler in ODI rankings after Pakistan’s former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who achieved this feat on January 11, 1998, at the age of 21 with the addition of 13 days.
Impressive Rabada has jumped to the top position, as he was placed at fifth spot. He further went past Australian pace sensation Mitchell Starc and New Zealand seamer Trent Bout. Moreover, Boult has slipped to sixth spot while resting on 683 points and Josh Hazlewood has found his position at the fifth place with 684 points.
The West Indies spinner Sunil Narine is placed at fourth place with 690 points, as Starc has amassed 701 points to see himself at the third position. Rising among the ranks, in his early days of his International cricket, Rabada has played a pivotal role for the Proteas.
After three-match series, Quinton de Kock also jumped to fourth place, as England skipper Eoin Morgan managed to find himself at the 17th spot. England pacer Liam Plunkett jumped to 16th place in ODI bowling rankings as he has claimed 597 points to his name.
For the first three bowlers; Rabada, Tahir and Starc have a gap of 23 points in the latest rankings before going to the ICC’s mega event. The Johannesburg-born Rabada has featured in 37 One-day Internationals in which he claimed 64 wickets at an impressive average of 24.90.
The right-arm fast bowler Rabada made his international appearance in 2014 when he played against Australia at Adelaide.
