Dubai: Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath finds his way back top five of ICC Test Bowlers Rankings after achieving 10-wicket haul that helped Sri Lanka whitewash Australia by 163 runs in the recently concluded Test series.
The 38-year-old recorded 6 for 81 and 7 for 64 in Colombo Test that has helped his rankings which was released on Thursday morning. This is Herath’s highest ranking since he achieved the fourth spot following the New Zealand the series in January 2015.
The bowlers list is head by James Anderson, followed by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin by 12 points. South Africa pacer also has chances to go the top spot if he does better in the series against New Zealand.
Colombo Test centurions Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva have also made significant gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen. Chandimal has risen to six slots to reach the No. 17 rank in a list that is already head by skipper Steven Smith.
De Silva has shot up to 30 places to No. 37. Kaushal Silva’s comeback century has moved him up to nine places and is currently placed at No. 39. As for David Warner, he has moved up a place sharing the No. 9 spot along with Ross Taylor.
In contrast, Shaun Marsh’s century has helped him jump to 13 places and is happily placed at No. 33. After Smith, who leads the ranks, is followed by Joe Root and Kane Williamson will want to better his position as he takes on South Africa in Durban.