Finance
Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned middle-order batsman, and fast-bowling all-arounder Shardul Thakur both improved in the most recent ICC Test Rankings, which were revealed on Wednesday. Australian batters also achieved a rare feat by claiming the top three spots in batting lists.
Rahane returns to the rankings in 37th place after scoring 89 and 46 in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, where he also made his comeback to the Indian team. Thakur, who scored 51 in the first innings, climbs six spots to 94th place.
After their centuries helped Australia defeat India by 209 runs in the WTC Final, Steve Smith and Travis Head join top-ranked Marnus Labuschagne in the top three batting rankings, an uncommon occurrence.
With 903 rating points, Labuschagne maintains his top ranking. Smith has moved up one spot to second after scoring 121 and 34, while Player of the Match Head has moved up three spots to a career-high third after scoring 163 and 18.
Smith has 885 rating points, Head has 884, and Kane Williamson has 883, making the race for second place very close. When West Indies batsmen Gordon Greenidge (810 rating points), Clive Lloyd (787) and Larry Gomes (773) were at the top of the list, the Test batting rankings last saw this situation.
After hitting 48 and 66 unbeaten, wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey has moved up 11 spots to 36th, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon has climbed two spots to sixth and seamer Scott Boland has climbed five spots to 36th after taking five wickets each in the game.
In the meantime, UAE batsman Vriitya Aravind rose seven positions to rank 49 in the men’s ODI rankings after scoring 36 and 70 against the West Indies in their home series, which was played in Sharjah and the visiting team won 3-0.
Following their final series match against Afghanistan, Sri Lankan players Pathum Nissanka (up five spots to 62nd among batsmen) and Wanindu Hasaranga (up two spots to 28th among bowlers) made headway in the latest update after their final match of the series against Afghanistan in Hambantota.
Source:IANS
