ICC Test Rankings: Jos Buttler Gain Big, Shadab Khan Also Move Up in Batsmen’s Rankings
Nov 4, 2023 at 5:38 PM
The England and Pakistan batsmen have paid the price for their poor show in the recently-concluded two-Test series, as they failed to gain anything substantial in the latest ICC rankings.
The series witnessed a total of a modest 1526 runs in seven innings for the fall of 61 wickets.
Pakistan took the lead by winning the opener by nine wickets before the hosts thrashed the visitors by an innings and 55 runs to square the series.
The biggest gainers among the batsmen were Jos Buttler and Shadab Khan. Both the players were the only half-centurions in the second Test at Headingley.
Buttler, who was making a comeback in the Test team, starred with the bat for the hosts. After scoring 14 in the first innings at Lord’s, he scored a fighting 67. However, that half-century had gone in vain. The right-handed batsman then slammed a stroke-filled 80 not out in the second Test to lay the foundation for England’s big win.
The twin fifties have helped Buttler move up 19 spots in the rankings to No. 63. Impressive newcomer Dominic Bess jumped 23 spots to take the 92nd position. He had scored a fighting 57 and had put on 126 runs with Buttler in the second innings at Lord’s. He then followed it up with a 49-run knock in the second Test.
Azhar Ali, who started the series with a fifty, dropped four spots to No. 15 after managing just 17 runs in the following three innings.
His teammate Asad Shafiq also lost ground in the ranking, moving down six spots to 31st. On the other hand, Shadab Khan, who scored 56 in the second Test, gained 22 spots to move to No. 108.
Among other batsmen, Alastair Cook went up one spot to No. 13, and Jonny Bairstow dropped a position to No. 16.
The batting list is headed by Steven Smith (No.1 with 929 points), Virat Kohli (Mo.2 with 912) and Joe Root (No.3 with 855).
Among bowlers, James Anderson held on to the second position following returns of 3/43 and 2/35.
His partner, Stuart Broad jumped two places to 12th after taking six for 66 in the match. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada continues to lead the bowlers’ chart.
In the team rankings, England lost one point, and Pakistan gained one, but their positions at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively didn’t change. India are still at the top of the rankings.