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Cape Town - South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has achieved the coveted No 1 ranking on the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after a stellar performance against India in the Johannesburg Test, which ended in a thrilling draw on Sunday.
Latest ICC Test rankings
VIDEO: Hashim Amla's freaky dismissals!
Philander had entered the Test trailing team-mate Dale Steyn by four ratings points. While Philander recorded figures of 4-61 and 3-68, Steyn managed just one wicket. The contrasting performances resulted in Philander gaining 13 ratings points and Steyn conceding 13 ratings points.
This swing means Philander now leads Steyn by 22 ratings points and the 28-year-old from Bellville will now start the Durban Test as the No 1-ranked bowler in the world for the first time in his career.
Reacting to the news that he is the new number-one ranked Test bowler, Philander said: “I am happy with my position as the No.1 ranked Test bowler. It is an honour to have been bowling alongside a champion like Dale.
“It’s been a great couple of years for our squad, and I have been fortunate enough to contribute to our success on the field. What has been the most pleasing though for us has been the all-round contribution from everyone in the squad that has been the main reason for our success over the last few years.
“Needless to say, it is always easier to be at the top of your game and successful when you are part of a winning team. Dale has been a tireless workhorse for us and continues to consistently put in quality performances for our team, it is no wonder that he was at the top of the bowling ranking for so long.”
Philander has dislodged Steyn, who had been at the top of table since July 2009 when he went past Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidaran. Overall, Steyn spent 186 matches at the number-one position, the second-most ever after Muralidaran.
Philander is now the seventh South Africa bowler to claim the number-one rank after Aubrey Faulkner (1914-1921), Hugh Tayfield (1955-1958), Peter Pollock (1969), Allan Donald (1998-1999), Shaun Pollock (1999-2003) and Steyn (2008-2013).
Overall Philander is the 74th bowler to head the Test bowling ranking.
Philander has also become the third South Africa bowler after Pollock and Steyn to break the barrier of 900 ratings points, considered a landmark for top bowlers.
Philander’s total of 912 ratings points is the joint-sixth best ever, with England’s Tony Lock and West Indies paceman Curtly Ambrose, and the best-ever by a South Africa bowler.
Latest ICC Test rankings
VIDEO: Hashim Amla's freaky dismissals!
Philander had entered the Test trailing team-mate Dale Steyn by four ratings points. While Philander recorded figures of 4-61 and 3-68, Steyn managed just one wicket. The contrasting performances resulted in Philander gaining 13 ratings points and Steyn conceding 13 ratings points.
This swing means Philander now leads Steyn by 22 ratings points and the 28-year-old from Bellville will now start the Durban Test as the No 1-ranked bowler in the world for the first time in his career.
Reacting to the news that he is the new number-one ranked Test bowler, Philander said: “I am happy with my position as the No.1 ranked Test bowler. It is an honour to have been bowling alongside a champion like Dale.
“It’s been a great couple of years for our squad, and I have been fortunate enough to contribute to our success on the field. What has been the most pleasing though for us has been the all-round contribution from everyone in the squad that has been the main reason for our success over the last few years.
“Needless to say, it is always easier to be at the top of your game and successful when you are part of a winning team. Dale has been a tireless workhorse for us and continues to consistently put in quality performances for our team, it is no wonder that he was at the top of the bowling ranking for so long.”
Philander has dislodged Steyn, who had been at the top of table since July 2009 when he went past Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidaran. Overall, Steyn spent 186 matches at the number-one position, the second-most ever after Muralidaran.
Philander is now the seventh South Africa bowler to claim the number-one rank after Aubrey Faulkner (1914-1921), Hugh Tayfield (1955-1958), Peter Pollock (1969), Allan Donald (1998-1999), Shaun Pollock (1999-2003) and Steyn (2008-2013).
Overall Philander is the 74th bowler to head the Test bowling ranking.
Philander has also become the third South Africa bowler after Pollock and Steyn to break the barrier of 900 ratings points, considered a landmark for top bowlers.
Philander’s total of 912 ratings points is the joint-sixth best ever, with England’s Tony Lock and West Indies paceman Curtly Ambrose, and the best-ever by a South Africa bowler.
