Australia speedster Mitchell Starc has reclaimed the pinnacle of the ICC Men's Test bowling rankings, unseating South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen just seven days after losing the spot. The governing body released its updated weekly charts on November 4, reflecting key performances from the concluding encounter of the three-match series between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.
Nine Wickets at Newlands Elevates Starc to 881 Rating Points
Despite Australia ending up on the losing side in the third and final Test at Cape Town, Mitchell Starc delivered an outstanding display with the ball across both innings. The left-arm fast bowler grabbed a total of 9 wickets during the match, which provided a massive boost to his individual tally and propelled him back to the summit of the rankings with 881 rating points.
Starc had endured a comparatively quiet outing in the second Test of the series, where he managed just three wickets. That subdued showing allowed Marco Jansen, who snared six wickets in that same match, to surge into the top position. However, Jansen's stint at number one proved short-lived. Following Starc's decisive match haul in Cape Town, the South African bowler has slipped to second place with 875 rating points, six points behind the Australian spearhead.
Jasprit Bumrah Remains Sole Indian in Top Ten, Siraj Slips to 16th
In the broader bowling landscape, Jasprit Bumrah continues to be the only representative from India inside the elite top ten of the ICC Test bowling rankings. Bumrah has not played international cricket for an extended period, yet he maintains fifth position with a solid 853 rating points. His ranking could see upward movement soon, as he has been selected in India's squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against New Zealand scheduled to commence on November 19.
Further down the table, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj suffered a slight dip in the latest update. Siraj dropped one position and is now placed 16th with 696 rating points. With the Test series against New Zealand on the horizon, India's frontline pacers will have a direct opportunity to bolster their individual standings in the global rankings.
