By: Express Web Desk | Published: March 6, 2018 4:00 pm

Australia will play third Test against England in Melbourne.

Mitchell Starc is up to a career best fifth ranking. (Source: Reuters)

Mitchell Starc’s nine wickets in the first Test against South Africa not only helped Australia in clinching victory but also moved him five places to a career-best fifth position. In doing so, he displaced India spinner R Ashwin to sixth in the latest ICC Test Rankings for Bowlers. Among the batsmen, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara maintained their place in the top-10 with the skipper on second – trailing Steve Smith by 35 points – and Pujara sixth.

With his nine for 109 in Durban, Australia beat South Africa by 118 runs to take 1-0 lead in the four-match series and it also escelated him past South Africa’s new-ball bowlers Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. His previous best ICC ranking had been sixth achieved in December 2016.

Marsh brother – Mitchell and Shaun – have gained in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen. Shaun Marsh has reached a career-best 16^th ranking with his 73 runs in the first Test while Mitchell has moved up to 43^rd place from his 56^th rank which is also his highest ranking.

For South Africa, Aiden Markram provided a courageous near-comeback and counter-attack in the second innings. Former South Africa U-19 captain’s scores of 32 and 143 helped him gain 28 slots to reach a career-best 19^thplace.

ICC Test Rankings – Top 10 Batsmen

1. Steve Smith (Australia) – 947 points

2. Virat Kohli (India) – 912 points

3. Joe Root (England) – 881 points

4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 855 points

5. David Warner (Australia) – 833 points

6. Cheteshwar Pujara (India) – 810 points

7. Azhar Ali (Pakistan) – 755 points

8. Alastair Cook (England) – 742 points

9. Ross Taylor (New Zealand) – 739 points

10. Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 734 points

ICC Test Rankings – Top 10 Bowlers