ICC Test ranking: Ravichandran Ashwin, James Anderson tie for top Test bowler spot

Dubai (UAE), March 8: Following the latest update to the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings, the thrilling battle to be rated the best Test bowler in the world is as close as it has ever been.

It has been a close race in recent weeks between England seamer James Anderson, India veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, and Australia captain Pat Cummins, and the ICC updated their weekly rankings list on Wednesday, resulting in a tie at the top.

Anderson and Ashwin are now tied on 859 rating points after Ashwin dropped six rating points after picking up four wickets in the third Test of India's ongoing series against Australia.

Cummins' rating has dropped to 849 points due to his absence for the final two Tests in India, but the right-arm bowler remains in third place on the rankings and within striking distance of the top two players.

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada improved three places to fourth and up to 807 rating points on the latest list of Test bowlers after taking eight wickets in the Proteas' 87-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Centurion.

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Nathan Lyon of Australia is another notable mover inside the top 10, climbing five places to ninth overall after his match-winning 11-wicket haul in the third Test against India.

The only change within the top ten for Test batters sees Australia opener Usman Khawaja move up two places to ninth overall, while South Africa right-hander Aiden Markram (up 21 places to 33rd) and West Indies middle-order performer Jermaine Blackwood (up 12 spots to 35) also make huge strides after strong performances in the first Test.

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