Steven Smith Climbs Up To The Second Position In The Test Batting Rankings
Aug 20, 2019 at 11:06 AM
Former Australian captain Steven Smith has climbed up in the second position in the Test batting rankings after his excellent performances in the ongoing Ashes 2019.
The no.1-ranked Virat Kohli is now under pressure as the in-form Steven Smith is chasing him gloriously. After scoring twin centuries (144 and 142 runs) in the first Test of Ashes 2019 at Edgbaston, Smith recently scored 92 runs in the rain-interrupted second Test of this series at Lord’s.
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During his batting on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test, Smith suffered a big blow on his neck. One of Jofra Archer’s deliveries hit on his neck, and it was very painful for him. After getting some medical treatment, he stood up but decided to retire hurt. Later, he once again came to bat on the same day and added 12 more runs.
On the next, Smith felt uncomfortable and decided to face the concussion rule out. Replacing him on day five, Marnus Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute in international cricket history.
Steven Smith is only nine rating points behind from the Test batting rankings leader Virat Kohli
While the no.1-ranked Test batsman Virat Kohli has earned 922 rating points, Smith has earned 913 points after the Lord’s Test.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (887 rating points) has slipped down to no.3 position in the Test batting rankings after poor performances in the Galle Test against the hosts Sri Lanka. In that opening Test of the two-match Test series, while Sri Lanka won by six wickets, Williamson scored a duck and four runs.
In the meantime, Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne has climbed up to his career-best no.8 position in the Test batting rankings. He played the incredible match-winning knock of 122 runs in the fourth innings against New Zealand during the Galle Test.
Australian batsmen Cameron Bancroft (rank 85), Usman Khawaja (rank 20) and David Warner (rank 11) have faced descent in the Test batting rankings. English Test captain Joe Root has also slipped down to the ninth position in this ranking.
All the next three Tests will begin on 22nd August. On that day, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will start their Colombo (PSC) Test while Australia and England will face at Leeds and Windies and India will play at Antigua.
Top-ranked Test bowler Pat Cummins equalled a record
Meanwhile, the Australian pacer Pat Cummins has strengthened his top-ranked position in the Test bowling rankings. After the Lord’s Test, Cummins has achieved 914 rating points which are the joint highest Test bowling rating points as an Australian bowler. Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath also achieved 914 rating points in August 2001. On the other hand, Cummins is now in the joint fifth position in the ICC best-ever Test championship rating points.
Top five rating points in Test bowling rankings history
Ranking | Player (Team) | Highest rating points | Year (including month) |
1 | Sydney Barnes (England) | 932 | February 1914 |
2 | George Lohmann (England) | 931 | March 1896 |
3 | Imran Khan (Pakistan) | 922 | February 1983 |
4 | Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) | 920 | July 2007 |
5 | Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 914 | August 2001 |
5 | Pat Cummins (Australia) | 914 | August 2019 |
There was also no change from the second to the fourth position of the Test bowling ranking table. South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada (851 rating points), English pacer James Anderson (823 rating points) and South African pacer Vernon Philander (813 rating points) have retained their respective second, third and fourth positions of the Test bowling rankings.
Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has climbed up to the fifth position in the Test bowling rankings after pipping the Kiwi left-arm pacer Neil Wagner. Wagner missed out the Galle Test.
The Test debutant English fast bowler Jofra Archer took five wickets (5/91) in the Lord’s Test. He has started his Test bowling rankings journey from the 83rd position.
In the Test all-rounder rankings, Pat Cummins has climbed up to the no.5 position.