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Trio of Aussies move up ICC Test rankings

Three Australian stars have been recognised for their performances with bat and ball at Edgbaston

Steve Smith’s Edgbaston dominance has been reflected in the latest ICC Player Rankings update, with the prolific batsman back inside the top three Test batters in the world.

Smith has overtaken Indian Cheteshwar Pujara as the third best batter in the world and now sits just 19 points behind overall leader Virat Kohli. His twin centuries against England in the first Ashes Test saw 46 rankings points added to his total.

Smith’s return to Test cricket was overwhelmingly successful, as he rescued Australia’s batting efforts in both innings with scores of 144 and 142.

Unstoppable Smith in rare air with twin Ashes tons


In doing so, he joined Australian cricket royalty in becoming just the fifth man to post centuries in both innings of an Ashes Test.

Another member of the elusive club – Steve Waugh – believes Smith is a rare talent in the game.

Image Id: D06E64CEB7594C4C84937EC04FA8F85B Image Caption: Steve Smith with Steve Waugh after his second century in the Edgbaston Test // Getty

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone quite like him,” Waugh told Channel Nine during the Edgbaston Test.

India is not scheduled to play their next Test until August 22, when it begins a two-match campaign against the West Indies. This means should Smith continue his good form and post his second century at Lord’s (August 14-18) the former Australian captain could once again become the No.1-ranked Test batman.

Smith wasn’t the only Australian to make an impact on the ICC rankings at Edgbaston.

Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins’ feats on the final day have resulted in significant movement up the bowlers’ leaderboard.

Image Id: AE161DCEC7584991BA5A3449C902444D Image Caption: Nathan Lyon celebrates a six-wicket haul in the second innings // Getty

Cummins consolidated his lead as the No.1-ranked bowler in cricket with overall figures of 7-116, while Lyon moved from being the 19th-ranked bowler to the No.13 position with 9-161.

The latter received much of the plaudits for a match-winning six-wicket haul in the second innings, however Cummins’ early scalps re-established his stance as the world’s most dangerous bowler.

In dismissing Jonny Bairstow on Monday, the Cummins became the quickest Australian fast bowler in 124 years to reach 100 Test wickets.

Cummins brings up a ton of Test victims


“He’ll just get better and better,” captain Tim Paine predicted of the New South Welshman.

“He settled into the Test match beautifully and the way he set the tone for our team this morning was exactly what we want from Pat Cummins.”

Australia’s next scheduled match in the UK will be a three-day tour match against Worcestershire, beginning August 7. None of Smith, Cummins or Lyon will play as they rest ahead of the second Ashes Test.

ICC Test batting rankings | Top 10

1. Virat Kohli (Ind) 922 rankings points

2. Kane Williamson (NZ) 913

3. Steve Smith (Aus) 903

4. Cheteshwar Pujara (Ind) 881

5. Henry Nicholls (NZ) 778

6. Joe Root (Eng) 741

7. David Warner (Aus) 721

8. Aiden Markram (SA) 719

9. Quinton de Kock (SA) 718

10. Faf de Plessis (SA) 702

ICC Test Bowling rankings | Top 10

1. Pat Cummins (Aus) 898

2. Kagiso Rabada (SA) 851

3. James Anderson (Eng) 831

4. Vernon Philander (SA) 813

5. Neil Wagner (NZ) 801

6. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind) 794

7. Trent Boult (NZ) 787

8. Jason Holder (WI) 770

8. Mohammad Abbas (Pak) 770

10. Ravi Ashwin (Ind) 763

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval