Dale Steyn has moved back to No 1 in the ICC Test bowling rankings after his magnificent performance against the Black Caps.
Steyn has surged ahead of England paceman James Anderson and Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, proving that the only way rankings can be represented fairly is by actually playing.
The Proteas haven’t played Test cricket for eight months before their series against New Zealand, leaving them helpless to do anything about their fall to No 7 in the world, as well as AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn’s slip down the rankings in their respective disciplines.
Steyn was back to his brilliant best against the Black Caps, taking 2-3 in Durban, before grabbing eight wickets in Centurion, including a five-for in the second innings.
De Villiers has moved down to No 7 in the world due to missing out on this series, while Hashim Amla is in fourth. Quinton de Kock meanwhile has moved up 18 spots to 32nd, and Faf du Plessis has moved up nine spots to 24th.
The Proteas look a little more respectable on the team rankings now, sitting in fifth ahead of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
ICC Bowling Rankings
- Dale Steyn
- Jimmy Anderson
- R Ashwin
- Stuart Broad
- Rangana Herath
- Yasir Shah
- Mitchell Starc
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Neil Wagner
- Trent Boult
