The Aussie skipper, Steve Smith hit a magnificent ton in the first game of Ashes and his knock of 141 eased Australia’s victory over England in the very first test of the all-important Ashes.
This was Smith’s 21st test century which came in just his 57th test match. Owing to this brilliant ton, Steve Smith has extended his lead at the top of the ICC Test Rankings for batsmen.
But what is now interesting about the points table is the fact that the next four batsmen are separated by just 11 points. After the Gabba test, Smith gained 5 points and his tally now stands handsomely at 941 points. This is the 5th highest in the history of test cricket.
Cheteshwar Pujara too has gone up in the points table and he is now at the second spot. Pujara hit a staggering century at Nagpur. His innings of 143 took him to his career-best rating of 888 points.
He got 22 points and returned to the second spot. Pujara now has a fair chance to go to the number one spot if he continues his form.
Kohli after 2 consecutive centuries in the ongoing test series has splurged from 817 points to 877 points but he is still at the 5th spot. Ahead of him are Joe Root and Kane Williamson at third and fourth spot respectively. Lokesh Rahul, on the other hand, went down by one spot and because of poor run of form in the present test series, Ajinkya Rahane stumbled by two places in the rankings.
ICC Test team rankings

Rank | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
1 | India | 36 | 4493 | 125 |
2 | South Africa | 34 | 3767 | 111 |
3 | England | 43 | 4497 | 105 |
4 | New Zealand | 32 | 3114 | 97 |
5 | Australia | 34 | 3294 | 97 |
6 | Sri Lanka | 39 | 3658 | 94 |
7 | Pakistan | 34 | 2988 | 88 |
8 | West Indies | 33 | 2465 | 75 |
9 | Bangladesh | 23 | 1651 | 72 |
10 | Zimbabwe | 13 | 20 | 2 |
ICC Test batsmen rankings
Rank | Name | Team | Rating |
1 | S.P.D. Smith | AUS | 941 |
2 | C.A. Pujara | IND | 888 |
3 | J.E. Root | ENG | 881 |
4 | K.S. Williamson | NZ | 880 |
5 | V. Kohli | IND | 877 |
6 | D.A. Warner | AUS | 826 |
7 | H.M. Amla | SA | 795 |
8 | Azhar Ali | PAK | 755 |
9 | K.L. Rahul | IND | 735 |
10 | D. Elgar | SA | 732 |
ICC Test bowlers rankings
Rank | Name | Team | Rating |
1 | J.M. Anderson | ENG | 891 |
2 | R.A. Jadeja | IND | 880 |
3 | K. Rabada | SA | 876 |
4 | R. Ashwin | IND | 849 |
5 | H.M.R.K.B. Herath | SL | 807 |
6 | J.R. Hazlewood | AUS | 798 |
7 | N.M. Lyon | AUS | 753 |
8 | D.W. Steyn | SA | 748 |
9 | N. Wagner | NZ | 745 |
10 | M.A. Starc | AUS | 744 |
ICC Test all-rounders rankings
Rank | Name | Team | Rating |
1 | Shakib Al Hasan | BAN | 438 |
2 | R.A. Jadeja | IND | 414 |
3 | R. Ashwin | IND | 389 |
4 | B.A. Stokes | ENG | 388 |
5 | Moeen Ali | ENG | 379 |
6 | V.D. Philander | SA | 319 |
7 | M.A. Starc | AUS | 305 |
8 | J.O. Holder | WI | 233 |
9 | H.M.R.K.B. Herath | SL | 220 |
10 | S.C.J. Broad | ENG | 205 |