Australia’s middle order batsmen Marnus Labuschagne rises to the top spot in ICC Test Rankings. Labuschagne achieved this feat after scoring his first Ashes century at the Adelaide Oval.
After scoring a ton and a fifty in the second Ashes test, Marnus Labuschagne moved to the top spot removing Joe Root who held the position since August this year.
Labuschagne was named as the man of the match in the 2nd Ashes Test. His 103 and 51 run knocks helped the Aussies register a 275-run win over the visitors.
Before the start of the series Labuschagne was ranked fourth in the ICC Men’s Test Rankings. In two games, Labuschagne has scored 228 runs which comprises of a century and two fifties.
So far in his career, the 27-year-old has scored 2113 runs at an average of 62.14 which comprises of 6 tons and 12 half centuries.
“I tried to absorb the pressure… I do a bit of self-talk, especially when I congratulated myself on playing the bouncer by (Ben) Stokes, as opposed to the one before that I played poorly. We played well in this Test match and didn’t take our foot off the peddle,” Labuschagne said after the match.
“Getting my first Ashes ton was terrific and I was disappointed that I didn’t make it a big one despite a few chances. I have played with Neser and played with Jhye in Shield cricket only weeks ago, and they have a unique set of skills – like Neser hits the stumps, for instance. It was great to have two bowlers out and still be able to dominate this Test match,” he added.
England skipper Joe Root has slipped to the 2nd spot followed by Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Rohit Sharma who will miss the upcoming test series against SA due to an injury has remained in the fifth spot.
India’s test captain Virat Kohli who was earlier at the sixth place has slipped to the seventh spot in the rankings.