Cape Town - Following solid performances in the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and fast bowler Kyle Abbott have made significant increases in the latest ICC players rankings.
ICC player rankings for Test batsmen
ICC player rankings for Test bowlers
Du Plessis’s innings of 118 not out and 12 have helped him move up eight positions to 23rd in the latest ICC player rankings for Test batsmen.
Abbott, who took four wickets in the Adelaide Test, has gained seven places to reach 29th slot in the ICC player rankings for Test bowlers.
Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli moved up to a career-best third spot in the Test batting rankings after coming up with a useful contribution in his team’s eight-wicket win over England in the third Test in Mohali.
The 28-year-old Kohli scored 62 and six not out to move to 833 points, within 14 points of England’s Joe Root in a list led by Australia captain Steve Smith. Starting the series in 15th position, Kohli has risen at a fast pace scoring 405 runs in the three Tests against England.
England’s Jonny Bairstow also reached a career-best ranking of ninth as he has shot up three places with knocks of 89 and 15, while Australia opener Usman Khawaja moved up nine places to 19th rank after a match-winning knock of 145 that helped Australia win the final Test against South Africa by seven wickets.
In the bowling rankings, Australia pace bowler Josh Hazlewood moved into the top five for the first time after taking six wickets in Adelaide. He has moved up four places to take fifth position.