R Ashwin’s returns of 7 for 83 in the second innings of the Antigua Test against West Indies lifted him back to No. 1 in the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings, displacing Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah. Yasir, who had assumed top spot after his ten-wicket match haul in Pakistan’s victorious first Test against England at Lord’s, dropped four places to No. 5 after disappointing match figures of 1 for 266 in the second Test at Old Trafford.
Other notable movers included Chris Woakes, who surged up ten places to No. 23 after his match figures of 7 for 108 at Old Trafford contributed to England’s 330-run win. Umesh Yadav, who took five wickets in India’s innings victory in Antigua, jumped up six places to No. 24.
In the Test batsmen’s rankings, England’s batting heroes at Old Trafford, Joe Root and Alastair Cook, both moved up. Root scored 254 in the first innings and 71 not out in the second to move up two places to No. 2, behind Steven Smith. Cook’s first-innings century and second-innings 76 not out were enough to propel him four places up, to No. 9.
Virat Kohli, who scored his maiden first-class double-century in the Antigua Test, also moved up the rankings, by two spots to No. 12. Ashwin’s century in the same match helped him move three places up to No. 45 and, in conjunction with his bowling feats, also consolidated his position as the top-ranked Test allrounder.
Pakistan should have rested Yasir Shah. Bowling while struggling with injury could make it worse.
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