Anderson, Bairstow climb ICC rankings

England quick James Anderson has soared back into the top three Test bowlers in the International Cricket Council’s rankings after his remarkable performance against Sri Lanka in Leeds.

Anderson claimed his third 10-wicket haul in Tests, with figures of 5-16 and 5-29 as England romped to an innings-and-88-run victory.

The 33-year-old leapfrogged Pakistan’s Yasir Shah and South Africa’s Dale Steyn to climb two spots on the table, where he sits on a career-high 854 points, behind countryman Stuart Broad (872) and India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (871).

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Wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow also jumped up the rankings after his man-of-the-match knock of 140, moving 14 places to 22nd. Another starring performance in the second Test in Durham beginning Friday could see the Yorkshireman break into the top 20 batsmen for the first time.

Opener Alex Hales won plenty of fans for his gritty 86, which came as England’s top-order crumbled around him, and he was also rewarded in the rankings, rocketing 38 places to 35th.

Meanwhile, Australia skipper Steve Smith’s place as the world No.1 Test batsman is a little more secure following the first Test, with the gap between him and second-ranked Joe Root drifting to 49 points after the England vice-captain was dismissed for a duck on day one at Headingley.

But with Smith not due to play a Test until Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka kicks off in late July, Root will have ample opportunities to reel the Australian in, with two Tests remaining against Sri Lanka before a four-Test home series against Pakistan.

Despite their heavy defeat, several Sri Lanka players improved their rankings.

Dasun Shanaka, who took 3-36 on debut, entered the charts in 86th place, while batsmen Kusal Mendis (60th) and Lahiru Thirimanne (67th) rose up the ranks.

ICC batting rankings

ICC bowling rankings

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