Mitchell Starc overtakes Marco Jansen to become World’s No.1 Test bowler again

Mitchell Starc overtakes Marco Jansen to become World’s No.1 Test bowler again

Mitchell Starc Reclaims No. 1 Spot in ICC Test Bowling Rankings

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has returned to the top of the ICC Test Bowling Rankings after a decisive performance in the third Test against South Africa. The left-arm quick claimed nine wickets in Cape Town, helping Australia’s leading pace threat overtake South African all-rounder Marco Jansen in the latest rankings update.

Starc’s rise comes despite Australia losing the three-match series 2-1. South Africa secured a 176-run victory in the final Test to seal the series, but the result did not overshadow Starc’s individual impact. His match figures in Cape Town proved enough to restore him to the No. 1 position, underlining how quickly the rankings can shift when a bowler delivers in a high-pressure contest.

A rankings race shaped by standout performances

Starc first reached the summit of the Test bowling rankings in August, moving ahead of India’s Jasprit Bumrah. His stay at the top was brief, however. Jansen took over after collecting six wickets in the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, where his pace and bounce made him a major force in South Africa’s attack.

The final match reversed that momentum. Starc finished with nine wickets, while Jansen claimed three, allowing the Australian to move back ahead. The latest change highlights the competitive nature of the rankings: a single match can have a substantial effect, particularly when leading bowlers are separated by a narrow points margin.

For Starc, the achievement is another milestone in a career built on speed, swing and the ability to strike in crucial moments. His left-arm angle offers a different challenge from most right-arm fast bowlers, while his capacity to generate pace with the new ball and return for dangerous spells later in an innings continues to make him central to Australia’s Test plans.

Simon Harmer makes a major leap after Cape Town victory

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer was one of the biggest movers in the updated bowling rankings. Harmer played a decisive role in his team’s Cape Town win, taking six wickets in Australia’s second innings as South Africa wrapped up the match and the series. His performance lifted him nine places to seventh in the world.

The climb also took Harmer past teammate Kagiso Rabada, who now sits eighth. While Rabada remains one of the most influential fast bowlers in international cricket, Harmer’s contribution showed the value of a specialist spinner in conditions where patience, accuracy and control can gradually create pressure.

Harmer’s rating of 817 points is particularly notable in South African cricket history. It is the second-highest rating ever recorded by a South African spinner, behind Hugh Tayfield’s 895 points, achieved in February 1957. The comparison places Harmer’s current form in a wider historical context and gives his ranking rise added significance.

Marco Jansen remains the world’s top Test all-rounder

Although Jansen has surrendered the No. 1 position among Test bowlers, he continues to lead the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings. His half-century in the third Test strengthened his standing in the category and earned him a career-best rating, reflecting his growing value to South Africa with both bat and ball.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja has moved to second in the all-rounder rankings, while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan is fourth. South African batter and bowler Wiaan Mulder climbed one place to third, and Harmer advanced three positions to fifth. The movement illustrates how all-rounder rankings reward contributions across disciplines rather than a single specialist skill.

Jansen’s position at the top also points to an important distinction in the latest update: losing the bowling lead does not diminish his overall influence. His ability to take wickets and contribute useful runs gives South Africa flexibility in team selection and helps explain why he remains such a valuable part of the side.

Batting rankings bring gains for South Africa and Australia

The latest ICC update included notable changes among Test batters. Aiden Markram moved up one place to 11th, while Mulder climbed seven positions to 17th. Ryan Rickelton was among the most impressive risers, gaining 25 places to reach 23rd and record a new career-best rating.

Australia also had players moving in the right direction. Cameron Green improved by three spots to joint 19th, and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey rose two positions to share the same ranking. Their progress offers a positive individual note for Australia after a series defeat, with Green’s all-round potential and Carey’s middle-order contributions remaining important to the team’s future Test plans.

Rankings do not tell the entire story of a player’s form, but they can offer a useful snapshot of recent performance. For Australia, the challenge will be turning individual achievements into more consistent team results. For South Africa, the series victory and the rise of several players provide momentum ahead of their next Test assignments.

West Indies players also climb after win in Bangladesh

West Indies players gained ground following their victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Mirpur. Batter Justin Greaves rose 12 places to reach joint 38th in the Test batting rankings, earning a new career-best rating after an influential performance.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican also advanced, climbing six spots to 30th among Test bowlers. Roston Chase moved up eight positions to share 23rd in the all-rounder rankings. The changes reflect the value of a strong team result, particularly when individual performances contribute directly to a win.

What the latest rankings mean

Starc’s return to No. 1 is the headline development, but the broader update reveals a shifting landscape across Test cricket. Jansen remains the leading all-rounder, Harmer is closing in on the top bowling positions, and players from Australia, South Africa and the West Indies have made meaningful progress in multiple categories.

For fans following the next stage of the international season, the rankings provide an intriguing prediction of which players could shape upcoming contests—but they are not a guarantee of future results. Conditions, opposition and team strategy will all influence what happens next. Starc’s latest rise nevertheless sends a clear message: even after a series defeat, an outstanding individual performance can quickly change the global conversation.

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