Cummins shoots up ICC bowling charts

Pat Cummins has broken into the top ten of the ICC’s Test bowling rankings for the first time in his career following a standout performance in Australia’s 3-1 series loss to South Africa.

The 24-year-old tearaway rose 12 places to equal sixth on the bowling charts after capturing 22 wickets at an average of 21 across the four Tests, including nine in Australia’s 492-run thrashing in Johannesburg.

It brings his career wicket-tally to 66 from 14 Tests, including 59 in the past 13 matches – the second-highest of any Australian bowler behind spinner Nathan Lyon (65).

One of the only Australian players to enhance their reputation during the ill-fated tour of South Africa, Cummins was a shining light for the tourists according to former Protea great Graeme Smith.

“He’s been outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him throughout the series,” he said.

“I got to play against him on debut, the young man, you could see he had huge potential.

“The injuries played their part but to see him string a lot of Test matches together and in particular this one, to see him up close again, he gives 100 per cent.

“He’s always in the game, you always think something is going to happen when he’s got ball in hand.

“He looks like a seasoned campaigner. Every time he gets the ball it looks like he knows what he wants to do.

“He’s got a wonderful future ahead and it’s wonderful for our international game to have someone of his ability.”

South Africa opener and fellow rising star Aiden Markram also reached unprecedented heights in the latest ICC update, rising six places to ninth in the Test batting charts following knocks of 152 and 37 in the fourth Test.

The 23-year-old’s 480 runs saw him finish as the series' leading run-scorer, including two big centuries in Durban (143) and Johannesburg (152) that incited predictions of future Test captaincy from former Protea leader Smith.

Vernon Philander (third) also rose six places for his 16 series wickets, while Morne Morkel joined Cummins in equal sixth to finish his career with 800 rankings points.

Batters (top 10)

Rank      (+/-)        Player                  Team      Pts        

   1          ( - )         Steve Smith          Aus         929        

   2          ( - )         Virat Kohli             Ind          912     

   3          (+1)        Joe Root               Eng         867        

   4          (-1)         Kane Williamson   NZ          847        

   5          ( - )         David Warner       Aus         820        

   6          ( - )         AB de Villiers        SA          813        

   7          ( - )         C. Pujara               Ind          810        

   8          ( - )         Dean Elgar            SA          784!       

   9          (+6)        Aiden Markram    SA          759     

  10         (-1)         Azhar Ali               Pak         755 

Bowlers (top 10)

Rank      (+/-)        Player                  Team     Pts        

   1          ( - )         Kagiso Rabada     SA          897        

   2          ( - )         James Anderson   Eng         891        

   3          (+6)        Vernon Philander  SA          845        

   4          (-1)         Ravindra Jadeja   Ind          844        

   5          (-1)         R. Ashwin              Ind          803        

   6=        ( - )         Morne Morkel       SA          800       

               (+12)      Pat Cummins        Aus         800     

   8          (-1)         Trent Boult            NZ          795       

   9          ( - )         Rangana Herath   SL           777        

  10         (-2)         Neil Wagner          NZ          765        

Allrounders Top 5

Rank      (+/-)       Player                   Team     

   1          ( - )         Shakib Al Hasan   Ban         

   2          ( - )         Ravindra Jadeja   Ind          

   3          (+2)        V. Philander          SA          

   4          (-1)         R. Ashwin              Ind         

   5          (-1)         Ben Stokes           Eng