Tsotsobe becomes highest-ranked South Africa bowler

South Africa’s Lonwabo Tsotsobe has become his country’s highest-ranked bowler in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers after finishing as the joint-leading wicket-taker along with Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga in the five-match ODI series which finished in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The 27-year-old from Port Elizabeth claimed 11 wickets at just under 19 runs per wicket and played a key role in his side’s 3-2 series win over the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 finalist. For this achievement, the left-arm fast bowler has been rewarded with a jump of 10 places and puts him in third spot behind Pakistan’s spin pair of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez.

While making an upward movement, Tsotsobe has leapfrogged team-mates Morne Morkel, who has dropped one place to seventh spot, and Dale Steyn, who has slipped to 15th position after conceding five places. Malinga, meanwhile, has returned in 10th position after gaining one place.

Also heading in the right direction are Robin Peterson in 44th (up by 14) and Wayne Parnell in 58th (up by six) while Albie Morkel has re-entered in 95th spot.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, there is no change in the top 10 as South Africa’s Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers continue to enjoy the top spots. Outside the top 10, South Africa’s Graeme Smith is one of the biggest movers, returning to the top 20 in 17th position after gaining five places following his series contribution of 229 runs, including 125 in Johannesburg, yesterday.

Also heading in the right direction are Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal. Tharanga has gained eight places and is now in 35th spot while Chandimal is in 65th position after rising 35 places.

In the Reliance ICC ODI Championship, both the sides have retained their pre-series rankings. The Proteas had, in fact, moved ahead of India in second place after taking a 3-0 lead but again dropped to third after losing the last two games in Kimberley and Johannesburg.