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Anderson reclaims top Test bowler status

England quick James Anderson has been ranked the world's No.1 Test bowler once again, with Australia's Steve Smith top of the batting ranks.

England's James Anderson
England's James Anderson has taken more than 500 Test wickets. (AAP)

James Anderson has leapt to the top spot in the International Cricket Council Test bowling rankings after a scintillating display in the nine-wicket win over West Indies at Lord's.

Anderson delivered a swing bowling masterclass as he recorded career-best figures of 7-42 in the second innings -- which included his 500th Test scalp -- to steer England towards victory in the series decider.

The 35-year-old's nine-wicket match haul resulted in him leapfroggoing India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to reclaim the number one spot he last held in August last year.

He is now the oldest bowler to go to the rankings summit since Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2009, capping a memorable summer for the Lancastrian, who has taken 39 wickets in seven Tests at an astonishing average of 14.1.

Australia captain Steve Smith has retained his place at the top of the batting ranks despite an average of just 29.75 in the drawn two-match series in Bangladesh.

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Shakib Al Hasan continues to top the allrounder rankings after taking 12 wickets against Australia in two Tests and adding 115 runs in four innings.

India is the No.1 team in the Test standings ahead of South Africa and England. Australia is fifth behind New Zealand.

TEST BATTING RANKINGS

1. Steve Smith 936

2. Joe Root 889

3. Kane Williamson 880

4. Cheteshwar Pujara 876

5. David Warner 807

TEST BOWLING RANKINGS

1. James Anderson 896

2. Ravindra Jadeja 884

3. Ravichandran Ashwin 852

4. Rangana Herath 809

5. Josh Hazlewood 794

TEST ALLROUNDER RANKINGS

1. Shakib Al Hasan 455

2. Ravindra Jadeja 429

3. Ravichandran Ashwin 421

4. Ben Stokes 395

5. Moeen Ali 378


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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