Markram, Ngidi among big gainers in latest ICC Test rankings after WTC triumph against Australia
Markram now sits just above Travis Head, who dropped four places in the rankings. Another Australian batter, Usman Khawaja, who also had a poor outing in the final, fell six places.
The stars of South Africa's historic victory in their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final have deservedly been the biggest gainers in the latest Test rankings. Aiden Markram, the centurion who played one of the finest innings ever seen in an ICC final, scoring 136, climbed seven places to No 11. Markram, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, delivered one of the most remarkable knocks — particularly considering the context of a final, facing the opposition's strongest bowling attack, and chasing a challenging target of 282.
Markram now sits just above Travis Head, who dropped four places in the rankings. Another Australian batter, Usman Khawaja, who also had a poor outing in the final, fell six places.
Among South African batters, captain Temba Bavuma maintained his position in sixth despite scores of 36 and 66 in the two innings. Meanwhile, David Bedingham, who remained unbeaten to guide the Proteas over the line, saw a dramatic rise, jumping 17 places to reach 40th. In the top 10, players like Rishabh Pant, Saud Shakeel, and Daryl Mitchell moved up a spot or two, benefitting from the losses of Khawaja and Head.
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For Australia, Beau Webster, who scored an invaluable 72 in the first innings, surged up 13 places to 70th. Mitchell Starc was the biggest gainer for the losing side after his contributions with both bat and ball. Starc climbed into 10th place in the Men's Test Bowling Rankings, alongside India's Ravindra Jadeja, while also breaking into the top 10 on the All-Rounders Rankings.
Starc, Ngidi among big risers in the bowling rankings
Kagiso Rabada, who claimed nine wickets in the match, and Australia's Pat Cummins, who took nine and seven wickets in each innings, retained their positions at No 2 and No 3, respectively, with India's Jasprit Bumrah still leading the way. Lungi Ngidi rose by seven places to joint-37th after his pivotal role in triggering a mini-collapse for Australia in their second innings.
With both teams returning to Test action next week, these players will have further opportunities to improve their rankings. Australia will take on the West Indies in a three-match series away, while South Africa will head to Zimbabwe for a couple of Tests, followed by a T20I tri-series featuring New Zealand.
