Anderson replaces Broad atop Test bowler rankings

Thursday, 2 June 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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England’s James Anderson takes the wicket of Shaminda Eranga in the second against Sri Lanka - Action Images via Reuters

AFP: James Anderson has become the world’s number one ranked Test bowler for the first time in his career after moving above England new-ball partner Stuart Broad in the latest International Cricket Council standings.

Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, broke through the 450 mark on his way to a man-of-the-match display in a nine-wicket victory at Chester-le-Street on Monday which sealed a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka.

The 33-year-old has already taken 18 wickets in the first two Tests of this English season ahead of next week’s Sri Lanka finale at Lord’s.

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Anderson’s eight-wicket haul at Chester-le-Street, the headquarters of north-est county Durham, saw Anderson climb two places in the ICC rankings published on Tuesday, with former number one Broad now third behind India off-spinner RavichandranAshwin.

Anderson is the fourth England bowler to top the ICC’s Test standings following Ian Botham (1980), Steve Harmison (2004) and Broad, who rose to the number one position following the Johannesburg Test against South Africa earlier this year.

Australia captain Steven Smith remains the number-one ranked Test batsman, followed by England’s Joe Root and Kane Williamson of New Zealand.