After leading his team to win the World Test Championship in Southampton last week, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has recaptured the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for batsmen.

The 30-year-old’s innings of 49 and unbeaten 52 in the low-scoring final versus India helped him surpass the 900-point threshold. Williamson who lost up the top spot to Smith two weeks ago now has 10 points lead over Steve Smith (891 rating points).

India’s captain Virat Kohli is still in fourth place while Rohit Sharma has moved up to sixth. Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman is ranked seventh.

Ross Taylor has moved up three places to 14th place after an unbeaten 47 and a 96-run partnership with Williamson, while left-hander Devon Conway has moved up 18 places to 42nd place after top-scoring with 52 in the first innings.

New Zealand’s fast bowlers have also benefited from the seaming conditions, with a player of the match Kyle Jamieson extending his incredible start to his Test career. His five for 31 and two for 30 figures have propelled him to a career-high 13th place, which is hardly surprising given that no bowler has taken more Test wickets at a better average since 1900.

Trent Boult’s figures of two for 48 and three for 39 have moved him up to 11th place, while India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has moved up three places to 13th place with scores of 49 and 15. After a week at the top of the all-rounder rankings, Ravindra Jadeja has fallen behind West Indian Jason Holder to second place.

West Indies left-handed opener Evin Lewis has climbed from 13th to 10th place in the T20 Rankings following a player of the match effort of 71 off 35 balls in the first of two matches that counted for this week’s rankings in their ongoing five-match series.

Fabian Allen, a left-arm spinner, has climbed 23 spots to 20th place.

Quinton de Kock (up to one spot to 22nd), Reeza Hendricks (up to three spots to 24th), and Temba Bavuma (up 24 spots to 64th) are among the other players who have improved their positions.

Several of England’s players have moved up as a result of their 3-0 series triumph over Sri Lanka, which could bolster their morale ahead of this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

In the bowlers’ list, Chris Jordan (up five places to 11th), Mark Wood (up 11 places to 14th), Sam Curran (up 62 places to 39th), and David Willey (up 23 places to 51st) have advanced, while Wanindu Hasaranga (up to five places to fifth) and Dushmantha Chameera (up 41 places to 43rd) have advanced for Sri Lanka.

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TOPICS: Ajinkya Rahane kane williamson Kyle Jamieson Ravindra Jadeja sports WTC