Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Dec 31: Harry Brook’s determined knock at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has sparked a shake-up in the latest ICC Test rankings, with the England batter surging to second place, while Australia pacer Mitchell Starc moved closer to dislodging India’s Jasprit Bumrah from the top of the bowling charts.
Brook, who scored 59 runs in a tough, low-scoring MCG Test, climbed three positions to become the world’s second-ranked Test batter. The 26-year-old leapfrogged Australia’s Steve Smith and Travis Head, along with New Zealand star Kane Williamson. He now trails only England teammate Joe Root, who continues to lead the rankings with 867 rating points.
England’s pace attack also saw notable gains following their four-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test. Fast bowler Joshua Tongue was handsomely rewarded for his match-turning performance, which included career-best figures of 5-45 and 2-44. Tongue jumped 13 places to reach 30th in the bowling rankings. Gus Atkinson moved up four spots to 13th, while Brydon Carse climbed six places to sit at 23rd.
Australia’s struggles with the bat at the MCG resulted in a dip for several of their batters, but their bowlers provided a silver lining. Mitchell Starc delivered consistently strong spells throughout the series and has now overtaken captain Pat Cummins, who missed the MCG Test, to sit joint second with Pakistan spinner Noman Ali. The left-arm quick is now just 36 rating points behind Bumrah at the top.
Scott Boland also enjoyed a rankings boost after claiming five wickets in the fourth Test. The Australian seamer climbed to a career-best seventh position, crossing the 800-point mark for the first time.
Despite the defeat at Melbourne, Australia remain firmly in control of the World Test Championship standings with 85.71 percentage points. New Zealand and South Africa follow in second and third positions, respectively.
With the fifth and final Ashes Test set to begin on January 4, both Brook and Starc will be eyeing the opportunity to claim the No. 1 ranking in their respective categories.