ICC Test Rankings: Boult and Morkel move up 5 spots
What's the story
The ICC has released the latest Test Rankings and as expected, Boult and Morkel are the biggest gainers. Kiwi pacer Trent Boult moved to the 7th spot, whereas, South African speedster Morne Morkel is now the 6th best Test bowler. Both Boult and Morkel moved-up 5 places, after helping their teams defeat England and Australia respectively. Morkel is set to retire after the 4th-Test.
Kiwi hero
Boult's 9 wicket haul takes him to the 7th spot
Boult, who claimed 9 wickets in 1st Test against England, was instrumental in orchestrating New Zealand's victory at Auckland. The Black Caps won by an innings and 49-run. The left arm seamer took 6 wickets to dismiss England for 58 in the first innings and then picked up 3 wickets in the second innings. He finished with figures of 9/99.
Bowing out on a high
Morkel gains career best points before retirement
Morne Morkel jumped 5 places to 6th spot after his 9/110 led South Africa to a 322-run victory in the controversial third Test at the Newlands. Morkel has risen to 798 points, his best ever points tally. He now has just one Test left before he retires from international cricket. South Africa lead 2-1 in the four-match Test series.
On fire
Elgar and Markram jump up in the latest batsmen rankings
South Africa's opening duo of Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram have attained their career-best rankings. Elgar scored a brilliant 141* in the first innings of the third Test and has risen to the 8th spot in the batsman rankings. On the other hand, Aiden Markram's 84 in the second innings propelled him 7 spots ahead, on to the 15th place.
Data
Williamson now the 3rd best Test batsman
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who now holds the record for most number of centuries by a Kiwi cricketer, has moved to the third spot in the batsmen rankings. He is only behind Steven Smith and Virat Kohli.