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Steyn fires back to No.1 Test ranking

Proteas spearhead sizzles in Centurion and reclaims his mantle as world's top bowler

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn is the new No.1 ranked Test bowler on the International Cricket Council’s rankings after his match-winning performance against New Zealand in Centurion (see video above).

Scorecard: Sri Lanka v Australia, fourth ODI

Steyn surged up the rankings after his eight-wicket haul in the second Test against the Black Caps, overtaking England’s Jimmy Anderson and India’s Ravi Ashwin, who now sit in second and third respectively.

Taylor, Steyn and stacks of cracks

The ferocious Protea quick’s ascension to the top spot sets up an intriguing duel with No.1 ranked Test batsman Steve Smith this summer, with South Africa playing three Tests Down Under in November and December.

Image Id: ~/media/08E5796086584E1CAE3D0C2E769A88A9 Image Caption: Top 10 Test bowlers, at Aug 31 // ICC

Steyn has spent 2,320 days as the top-ranked bowler in the world, the most by any bowler since World War II.

Australia captain Smith kept his spot at head of the batting charts, with no movement among the top-five ranked batsmen (in order: Smith, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Hashim Amla and Younis Khan).

Interestingly, Adam Voges moved up one spot on the batting rankings, drawing level with AB de Villiers in sixth position despite a poor series in Australia’s 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka.

Steyn questions Wagner's courage

Australia Test vice-captain David Warner also moved up, going from tenth to ninth, switching places with England captain Alastair Cook.

Ravi Ashwin keeps his spot atop the allrounder rankings, with Starc sitting in fourth position.

Image Id: ~/media/09A48DB4832748E4A9B6FFFF6DBF09B6 Image Caption: Top 10 Test batsmen, at Aug 31 // ICC

South African batsmen Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis were the biggest movers after impressive showings against the Kiwis.

De Kock went up 18 places into 32nd on the batting rankings after a pair of half-centuries while du Plessis, who made his first Test ton in 17 innings at Centurion, moved up nine spots into 24th.