ICC Test Rankings – England Jump By Two Places, South Africa Slip By One

After hammering South Africa in the four-match Test series by 3-1, England has gained two places in the latest update of the ICC Test Rankings. England who were at the fifth place before the series, now occupy the third rank after winning the series in South Africa. Joe Root-led side now has 105 rating points under their belt.

On the other hand, South Africa slipped by one position after they lost the series. The Proteas were demoted to fifth place and they have 98 rating points under their bag. India continues to be at the culmination of the ICC Test rankings as they have 120 rating points whereas Australia who had a great home summer takes the second place. New Zealand are in fourth place as they also have 105 rating points like England.

England was able to bounce back after trailing 0-1.

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes was awarded the Player of the series whereas Mark Wood got the Man of the Match award in the final Test. Stokes scored 318 runs at an average of 45.43 in the seven innings he played in the series. The right-arm seamer was also right on the money with the ball as he took 10 wickets in the series and also took 12 catches.

On the other hand, England clinched the final Test match by a gargantuan margin of 189 runs. England had set up a notional target of 466 runs and the Proteas could only manage 274 runs.

Mark Wood was the star of the show for the visitors as he took nine wickets for 100 runs in the match. Wood took a five-wicket haul in the first innings and backed it up with four in the second dig. Furthermore, the right-hander scored a total of 53 runs in the Test match.

Meanwhile, the Wanderers Test also marked the end of South African pacer Vernon Philander. The swing bowler took two wickets in the first innings but could only bowl 1.3 overs after suffering an injury in the second essay. He finished with 224 wickets in 64 Test matches.

Here are the ICC Test Rankings: