Aussie pacemen on the move in latest ICC rankings update after strong showing against Sri Lanka
Starc into top three, career best for Hastings
Pace ace Mitchell Starc has moved into the top three on the ODI bowlers rankings after spearheading Australia’s 4-1 ODI Series win over Sri Lanka.
Starc jumps two spots from fifth to third after the latest International Cricket Council player rankings update, leapfrogging South Africa’s Imran Tahir and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan to sit behind West Indies spinner Sunil Narine and Blackcaps quick Trent Boult.
The 26-year-old topped the wicket-takers tally in Sri Lanka, capturing 12 wickets at 18.16 at an impressive strike rate of 24.4.
In the opening match in Colombo, Starc became the fastest bowler in history to capture 100 ODI wickets, securing the milestone scalp in just his 53rd match.
Seamer Josh Hazlewood (17) and allrounder James Faulkner (18) are the next best Australia bowlers, while 2016’s leading ODI wicket-taker John Hastings has shot up to a career-high 24th.
George Bailey’s record-breaking series saw him move up to 17th, behind skipper David Warner and injured opening batsman Aaron Finch.
Bailey’s 270 runs were the most by an Australian in a bilateral series in Sri Lanka, eclipsing Ricky Ponting’s mark of 257 set in 2004.
Despite posting the first century by an Australian in Sri Lanka in Sunday’s five-wicket win in Pallekele, Warner dropped one from 12th to 13th.
Warner’s 106 represented 74 per cent of his series output after starting the series with scores of 8,1,10 and 19.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers remains the No.1 ODI batsman, sitting atop the summit ahead of India’s Virat Kohli, compatriot Hashim Amla, England’s Joe Root and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson.
ICC Player Ratings - Batting
Image Id: EA622CCFF20E424DA84E36FF1F6D3ACCICC Player Ratings - Bowling
Image Id: 78FCC85A32E745D789DC020AE13764D5 Picture credit: International Cricket Council