Johannesburg - Dale Steyn is in danger of losing his ranking as the world's top bowler to England's off-spinner Graeme Swann, it emerged in the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers released on Tuesday.
Fast bowler Steyn is just six ratings points ahead of Swann.
"However, a good performance at the Gabba will potentially make the 31-year-old from Northampton the first England bowler since Steve Harmison to achieve the number-one ranking," the ICC said in a statement.
Harmison topped the bowling table in August 2004 after the Oval Test against the West Indies in which he had match figures of 9-121.
Swann is also the fifth ranked all-rounder. The all-rounders' list is headed by Jacques Kallis.
Fast bowler Steyn is just six ratings points ahead of Swann.
"However, a good performance at the Gabba will potentially make the 31-year-old from Northampton the first England bowler since Steve Harmison to achieve the number-one ranking," the ICC said in a statement.
Harmison topped the bowling table in August 2004 after the Oval Test against the West Indies in which he had match figures of 9-121.
Swann is also the fifth ranked all-rounder. The all-rounders' list is headed by Jacques Kallis.