Batsmen move up rankings following Chittagong Test

Cricket365
February 5, 2018

The high-scoring draw in the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Chittagong saw batsmen making impressive gains in the latest ICC player rankings, which were released on Monday.

Five centuries and six half-centuries were scored in a match which saw Bangladesh posting 513 and 307 for five, and Sri Lanka amassing a colossal 713 for nine declared in their only innings.

Sri Lanka opener Kusal Mendis, who was the top scorer in the match with 196, has vaulted 12 places to claim 23rd position, while Dhananjaya de Silva, who contributed 173 and featured in a 308-run second wicket stand with Mendis, has lifted eight places to occupy 38th spot.

Roshen Silva’s 109 has moved him from 106th position to a career-high 78th spot.

Mominul Haque, who became the first Bangladesh batsman to score two centuries in a Test while hitting 176 and 105, has risen 15 places to 27th position.

In doing so, he has become Bangladesh’s fourth highest-ranked batsman after Tamim Iqbal (21st), Shakib Al Hasan (22nd) and Mushfiqur Rahim (25th). The four Bangladesh batsmen are separated by just 24 points.

Stand-in Tigers captain Mahmudullah, who scored 83 not out and 28 not out, has jumped six places to a career-high 48th position.

Liton Das is the other batsman to head in the right direction. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s 94 in the second innings not only helped the home side to escape with a draw but also earned him nine places and 81st place in the batting table.

The Chittagong Test was a tough one for the bowlers and this is reflected in the latest bowlers’ rankings.

Rangana Herath has slipped one place to seventh position after bagging five wickets in 65 overs, Dilruwan Perera has dropped two places to take 27th,place, Mustafizur Rahman has slipped two places to 59th position and Lahiru Kumara has plummeted seven places to 76th slot

The bowlers to move up the ladder include Bangladesh’s spin duo of Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan, who have gained one place each to move to 36th and 38th rankings, respectively, and Sri Lanka’s Lakshan Sandakan, who has earned three places to rise to 57th position.

Australia’s Steve Smith is the number-one ranked batsman, while James Anderson of England is the top-ranked bowler. Shakib Al Hasan leads the all-rounders’ list.

BATSMEN (top 10)

Rank ( /-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating

1 ( – ) Steve Smith Aus 947! 63.75 947 v Eng at Sydney 2018

2 ( – ) Virat Kohli Ind 912! 53.40 912 v SA at Johannesburg 2018

3 ( – ) Joe Root Eng 881 53.28 917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015

4 ( – ) Kane Williamson NZ 855 50.62 893 v Aus at Perth 2015

5 ( – ) David Warner Aus 827 48.77 880 v NZ at Perth 2015

6 ( – ) C. Pujara Ind 810 50.51 888 v SL at Nagpur 2017

7 ( – ) Hashim Amla SA 771 49.08 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013

8 ( – ) Azhar Ali Pak 755 46.62 787 v Aus at Melbourne 2016

9 ( – ) D. Chandimal SL 746! 44.51 746 v Ban at Chittagong 2018

10 ( – ) Alastair Cook Eng 742 46.35 874 v Ind at Kolkata 2012