New Delhi: There has been a big change in the bowling rankings of Test cricket. Jasprit Bumrah, who has been holding the number 1 position for a long time, has now moved away from the top position. Australia's experienced fast bowler Mitchell Starc has achieved the first position in the ICC men's Test bowling rankings on the basis of his excellent performance. This is the first time in 36-year-old Starc's career that he has become the world's number 1 Test bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah had topped the rankings for Test bowlers for the first time in February 2024. After this he remained in this position for about two years. However, Starc got the benefit of his not playing in the ongoing World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka. The Australian fast bowler bowled brilliantly in the second test against Bangladesh and took a total of 10 wickets in the match. His performance in the match played in Mackay put the team in a strong position and they gained two places in the ICC rankings.
Starc overtook Bumrah and Henry
After his strong performance against Bangladesh, Starc left behind India's Jasprit Bumrah and New Zealand's Matt Henry. Bumrah has now reached second place, while Henry has slipped to third place. Starc remained in the top 10 of Test bowling rankings for the last several years. Recently, after his brilliant performance against England in the Ashes series, he had reached the top three, but becoming number 1 is considered a big achievement in his career.
Australian bowlers also got benefit
Other Australian bowlers have also made huge leaps in the rankings. Captain Pat Cummins has reached fourth position after taking six wickets in the McKay Test. At the same time, experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon has moved up two places to join the top 10.
Great jump by England bowlers
England's bowlers also got the benefit of their excellent performance against Pakistan at Headingley. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tong together took 16 wickets and played an important role in the team's one-sided victory. Robinson jumped 15 places to 11th, while Tong climbed 16 places to 17th.
Pant's big advantage in batting rankings
In the ranking of batsmen, Harry Brook remains at number 1 and Joe Root remains at second position. Steve Smith remains at third and Travis Head remains at fourth. India's Rishabh Pant has jumped six places on the basis of his quick half-century in the second innings against Sri Lanka in Galle. He has now reached joint seventh place and is equal to Marnus Labuschagne.