Steyn opens gap atop ICC Test rankings

Despite the Bangladesh-South Africa series finishing nil all, in the ICC rankings for Test Bowlers it was a momentous Test for world number one Dale Steyn, who joined the illustrious 400-wicket club.

The 32-year-old Phalaborwa man’s three-wicket haul for 30 runs increased his lead at the top by two points to 82 over England’s James Anderson.

In passing the 400-wicket milestone, he is just 19 wickets adrift of Shaun Pollock’s record Test tally for his country (421). He lies in 13th place overall and next has Sir Curtly Ambrose’s record (405) in his sights.

There was further good news for the Proteas, with career-high gains for spin duo JP Duminy, whose three for 27 vaulted him nine places to 49th, and Dean Elgar, who climbed five places to 96th.

With only one innings possible because of the adverse weather, the top 20 in the rankings for Test Batsmen remained the same, thus preventing Hashim Amla (fourth) or Faf du Plessis (18th) from boosting their respective positions.

However, Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque climbed two places to 25th after scoring 40, while skipper Mushfiqur Rahim 15th Test half-century also vaulted the 28-year-old seven places to 42nd.

There were also gains for Imrul Kayes (up one place to a career high 55th) and Nasir Hossain (up two places to 64th).

The all-rounder rankings remained unchanged and Shakib Al Hasan extended his lead at the top by three points to 384, 47 points clear of South Africa’s Vernon Philander.

Meanwhile, the ICC Test Team Rankings will be updated following the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test, and England currently lead the series 2-1. The fourth Test starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday.