ICC Test Rankings: Steve Smith leapfrogs Cheteshwar Pujara
What's the story
Steve Smith leapfrogged India's Cheteshwar Pujara to grab the No 3 spot in the ICC Test Rankings for batsmen. The Australian star achieved this feat after consecutive hundreds in the opening Ashes 2019 Test against England at Edgbaston. Smith has taken the third spot in the rankings at the moment and is behind Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson. Here's more.
Smith comeback
Smith's inspirational comeback lauded by one and all
Smith made an inspirational comeback to Test cricket after a 12-month ban for a ball-tampering scandal. He looked in good touch during the ICC World Cup 2019 and followed it up with a brilliant 144 and 142 in the first Test. Smith gained plaudits from all corners including the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He scripted a host of records and helped Aussies claim a win.
ICC Rankings
Smith goes up to third, Root replaces Warner
Smith is back above the 900-point mark (903) along with Indian captain Kohli (922) and New Zealand hero Williamson (913). He started the first Test with 857 points under his belt and gained 46 to move past the 900-mark. Pujara has 881 points to be on fourth. England's Joe Root, who scored 57 and 28, rose to sixth place after replacing David Warner.
Lyon
Lyon's impressive performance sees him rise to 13th
In the ICC Test Rankings for bowlers, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon gained six crucial points to rise to 13th. The senior off-spinner claimed nine wickets in the match and was the major force in the second innings with six wickets under his belt. Lyon, who raced to 350 Test scalps, is on 13th position among the bowlers. He has 732 rating points.
Bowlers
Cummins consolidates top position, Broad gains two places
Meanwhile, Aussie pacer Pat Cummins has consolidated his top position with a seven-wicket haul. The right-arm pacer has reached a career-best 898 rating points. This is the third-best for an Australia bowler in the past 50 years after legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Meanwhile, Stuart Broad rose to 16th. He claimed a famous fifer in the first innings.