ICC ODI Rankings: South Africa's Keshav Maharaj becomes top-ranked bowler
What's the story
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj replaced Mohammed Siraj to become the new top-ranked bowler in the ICC ODI Rankings. The left-arm spinner will play a big role for the Proteas in the upcoming 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals against Australia. Maharaj has been exceptional for South Africa throughout the ongoing event and therefore attained the top spot. Here are further details.
Maharaj
Maharaj has been impressive in WC 2023
The ODI rankings are changing every week, with Siraj placed at the summit on November 8. However, Maharaj's performances saw him surpass the Indian. Since the last rankings update, the left-arm spinner has been pivotal for the Proteas, scalping seven wickets in three wickets. He was economical against India and picked a four-fer against NZ. Overall, Maharaj has scalped 14 wickets in the tournament.
World Cup
A look at his numbers in the 2023 World Cup
As mentioned, Maharaj has picked up 14 wickets in nine group-stage matches in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. He owns an average of 24.71 while maintaining an economy of 4.37. His best bowling figures of 4/46 came against NZ. The left-arm spinner is SA's third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs this year with 23 scalps at 23.12. He owns two ODI four-fers in 2023.
ODI
Here are his ODI numbers
Maharaj has picked up 51 wickets in 40 ODIs at an average of 30.49 while maintaining an impressive economy of 4.62. Against Afghanistan, the veteran spinner completed 50 ODI wickets. Maharaj has claimed 23 wickets from 16 ODIs on Asian soil at an average of 25.34. As many as 15 of his wickets have come on Indian soil from 11 ODIs at 27.60.
Wickets
Home, away, and neutral venue numbers in ODIs
The 33-year-old spinner has returned with 19 wickets from 16 home ODIs at an average of 35. In 16 away (home of opposition) ODIs, Maharaj has scalped 19 wickets at 30.21. Lastly, he owns 13 wickets in eight neutral venue ODIs at a better average of 24.30. Maharaj has picked up 11 wickets against Australia in eight matches.
Rankings
Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav also move up in rankings
India's Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have also climbed two places up to number four and five, respectively, in the bowling rankings. Australia's Josh Hazlewood and New Zealand's Trent Boult have dropped to sixth and seventh. Bumrah and Kuldeep have claimed 17 and 14 wickets in the 2023 World Cup, respectively. The left-arm leg-spinner has claimed the most ODI wickets in 2023 (47).