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Cape Town - Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn has increased his lead atop the ICC player rankings for Test bowlers.
Despite South Africa’s Test series in Bangladesh finishing 0-0, it was a momentous second Test for Steyn who joined the illustrious 400-wicket club.
The 32-year-old’s 3-30 increased his lead at the top by two points to 82 over England’s James Anderson.
In passing the 400-wicket milestone, Steyn is now just 19 wickets adrift of compatriot Shaun Pollock’s record Test tally for his country (421).
Steyn now lies in 13th place overall and next has West Indies’ 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 3-27 has vaulted him nine places to 49th, and Dean Elgar, who has climbed five places to 96th.
With only one innings possible because of the adverse weather, the top 20 in the ICC player rankings for Test batsmen remains the same, thus preventing Hashim Amla (fourth) or Faf du Plessis (18th) from boosting their respective positions.
However, Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque has climbed two places to 25th after scoring 40, while skipper Mushfiqur Rahim’s 15th Test half-century has 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 remain unchanged and Shakib Al Hasan has 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 between England and Australia.
The fourth Test starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
