Another South African on top in the latest ICC rankings

Star of the week: Brendan Taylor

The latest rankings are out and it is time to welcome another South African to the top. Morne Morkel became the latest South African to be ranked on top of the ICC rankings. Morkel is now the no.1 ODI bowler in the world following his 4 for 22 in the second ODI against Australia in Port Elizabeth. Morkel has climbed four places while previous no.1 Swann has slipped two places after that disastrous series against India where he took just two wickets in four matches.

Now, there are 5 South Africans who are ranked on top, across both the Test and ODI formats. Hashim Amla continues to be the top ODI batsman while Jacques Kallis dominates the Test rankings as the best batsman and the best allrounder. Dale Steyn is the numero-uno Test bowler.

For a team that hasn’t played Test cricket since January, 3 men on top of various Test ranking lists, is indeed an achievement. The quality of Kallis and Steyn is nowhere to be discounted. These are among the foremost men in any World Test 11 today. In spite of having so many top ranking cricketers in their team, the fact that the Proteas aren’t winning and clicking as a team often, is a mystery that has remained unsolved since the days of Wessels, Cronje and Pollock.

Kumar Sangakkara consolidated his spot at no.2 in the Test batting rankings. Sanga’s form in the ongoing Pakistan series has been outstanding to say the least. He saved the first Test for his team singlehandedly with his double century in the 2nd inning.

At the peak of his powers

Among other movers and shakers in the rankings list, the world’s best ODI batsman on form and consistency, can only occupy as high as the 3rd spot. I am talking about our own captain cool M.S.Dhoni. He was completely unbeaten while making 212 runs, in the recent 5-0 whitewash of the Pommies, and was also the Man of the Series, unanimously.

Jonathan Trott shares the 3rd spot with him. His mode of run scoring may not be in vogue considering the current day slam bang trend. Yet, Trott was among the lone bright lights in the recent 0-5 bashing at the hands of the Indians.

Brendan Taylor recently made back to back 100s against the Kiwis in their home series which they lost 1-2. The Zimbabwean skipper is currently at no.17 after having moved 18 places. Well deserved indeed after what was a Himalayan effort by Taylor. Scores of 128*(120), 107*(105) and 75(65) for a total of 310 runs definitely deserve a big round of applause and the rankings also reflect the same.

Ravindra Jadeja and R.Ashwin have also made a move up the ODI bowling list, after their recent easy pickings against the touring Poms. Jadeja picked up 11 while Ashwin scalped 10 wkts.

But, given the volume of cricket happening all around the world with most of the teams in action right now, these rankings can change quite frequently. Watch this space for more.