Rankings rejoice for bowlers in Melbourne blitz

A host of fast bowlers who played their part in the rapid Boxing Day Test in Melbourne have made leaps in the latest ICC Men’s Player Rankings.

All 36 wickets were taken by the quicks in the Test that finished inside two days, of which seven were taken by Player of the Match Josh Tongue, whose 5/45 and 2/44 led to a 13-spot climb to 30th (573 rating points) on the Bowling Rankings list.

England tasted victory for the first time on the tour, and Tongue’s teammates too enjoyed a double delight through rankings jumps of their own.

A returning Gus Atkinson made his presence felt in the victory, claiming key man Travis Head with the new ball to set the tone, claiming three wickets and sneaking up to equal 13th (698) with a four-spot climb. Brydon Carse’s five wickets moved him up six spots to 23rd (638).

Atkinson’s efforts also meant a move to eighth in the Test All-Rounder Rankings (238), with teammate and captain Ben Stokes maintaining his spot in third (316).

As runs came at a premium for an Australian side disappointed to drop ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points, their bowlers maintained their lofty standards for small rankings gains.

Mitchell Starc’s four wickets was enough for him to join Noman Ali in a tie for second spot (843), with Scott Boland moving up two spots to seventh at a rating of 810, both career highs.

Harry Brook’s 41 and unbeaten 18 to see out England’s chase saw him move three spots to second on the Test Batting rankings (846), moving out of the logjam of those chasing Joe Root for top spot.

Australia’s Steve Smith and Travis Head, as well as New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, moved down as a result of Brook’s performance.