The ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings have rewarded England batsman Ollie Pope for his heroics during the first Test match against India by raising his rating to a new career high.
In the first Test of the vital ICC World Test Championship series on the subcontinent, Pope startled India with a stunning 196 in the second innings of England’s exciting 28-run victory. Pope then shot up to a massive 20 places to 15th on the ICC’s updated rankings on Wednesday.
Pope’s innings in the Indian Test match was the fourth highest by an England men’s player and his highest score in a Test away from home. As a result, the right-hander, who is now in form, shot up the rankings.
As the world’s best Test batsman, Kane Williamson, a veteran from New Zealand, continues to lead the field. However, there has been a slight shift within the top 10 after England’s victory in Hyderabad and the end of Australia and the West Indies’ drawn series. Babar Azam, a former captain of Pakistan, is currently ranked sixth among batsmen for the ICC Test with 768 points.
Usman Khawaja, the opener for Australia, moves up two spots to seventh after hitting a half-century in the first innings of the second Test match against the Caribbean team at the Gabba. Ben Duckett, Pope’s England teammate, also makes progress, moving up five spots to 22nd after hitting 35 and 47 against India.
After taking six wickets in his match against England, India’s experienced bowler Ravichandran Ashwin remains atop the Test bowlers rankings. His teammate Jasprit Bumrah is closing in on top spot, having moved up to fourth after taking six wickets of his own in Hyderabad.
Along with Kemar Roach (up two spots to 17th), Alzarri Joseph (up four places to 33rd), and Player of the Match at the Gabba Shamar Joseph (up 42 spots to equal 50th), three quicks from the West Indies were also rewarded for their impressive performance against Australia.
In the Test all-rounder rankings, India’s Ravindra Jadeja has a comfortable lead over his rival, but if England’s seasoned Joe Root can sustain his recent good ball-playing, he could soon face competition.
Root, 33, is more well-known for his work with the willow, but he also used his excellent spin to take five wickets against India, even opening the bowling for England in the second innings.
As a result of his performance, Root has reached a new career high in the Test all-rounder rankings, and the perennial England player has moved up one spot to fourth place behind Jadeja.