ICC Test Rankings: Usman Khawaja enters top 10; Root slips
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have released an updated list of the Men's Player Rankings for both Tests and ODIs. Australian batter Usman Khawaja has fought his way to the sixth spot in the Test Rankings for batters. Meanwhile, English skipper Joe Root (4th) has slipped by two positions. There have been some notable changes in the released rankings for batters and bowlers.
Khawaja was one of the chief contributors to Australia's historic conquest over Pakistan in the Test series (1-0). In the third Test, he slammed 91 and 104*. He has performed well since his return in Ashes 2021-22. His scores since his return to Test cricket reads 104*, 91, 44*, 160, 97, 11, 6, 101*, and 137.
Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne sits comfortably atop. Steve Smith (2nd) and Kane Williamson (3rd) have both risen by a spot. Joe Root (4th) has slumped by two places. Babar Azam (5th) and Dimuth Karunaratne (6th) haven't moved an inch. Khawaja (7th) has made a massive jump by six spots. Rohit Sharma, Travis Head, and Virat Kohli occupy the next three positions in order.
Root finished as the second-highest run-getter in the just concluded 3-match Test series against West Indies on their own turf. In spite of this, he faltered to the 4th spot in the Test Rankings. He smashed 289 runs across six innings. But, he failed to register double-digit scores in the third Test, having been dismissed cheaply on 0 and 5.
Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi (5th) has risen by one spot to replace Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson (6th) in the rankings The remaining bowlers have stayed intact at their respective positions. Pat Cummins continues to dominate the rankings, followed by R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, and Jasprit Bumrah in the top four. Meanwhile, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, James Anderson, and Josh Hazlewood follow Jamieson in order.
Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, and Ross Taylor fill the top three spots in the order. Rohit Sharma (4th) has risen by one place to replace Quinton de Kock (5th). Jonny Bairstow (6th) has jumped two places, followed by Aaron Finch (7th) and Rassie van der Dussen (8th) who have lost one spot each. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq has bounced to the 10th position.
Imam smashed his 8th ODI ton against Australia in the first ODI. He hammered a 96-ball 103, with six fours and three sixes. With that, Imam has now amassed 2,126 runs across 47 ODIs. He averages 50.61. He holds 8 hundred and 10 fifties. His knock helped him leapfrog by two positions to occupy the 10th spot in the Men's ODI Rankings for batters.
Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (8th) and Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa (10th) have risen by 4 and 6 spots respectively in the ODI Rankings for bowlers. In fact, Zampa's tied alongside Rashid Khan (9th) with a rating of 650, who has risen by one spot in the rankings. Meanwhile, the top seven haven't had any changes in their positions.
