Mitchell Starc overtakes Marco Jansen to become World’s No.1 Test bowler again

Mitchell Starc Returns to No. 1 in ICC Test Bowling Rankings After Cape Town Masterclass

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reclaimed the top spot in the latest ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after a decisive performance in the third Test against South Africa. The left-arm quick took nine wickets in Cape Town, earning a major rankings boost even as Australia lost the match and the series 2-1.

Starc’s rise highlights how individual performances can reshape the ICC rankings, even when a player’s team does not win. His haul in the final Test helped him move ahead of South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen, who had briefly held the No. 1 position. The latest update also brought significant movement for other players, including a career-best jump for South African spinner Simon Harmer.

Starc’s Nine Wickets Make the Difference

Starc’s return to the summit followed a high-impact display in Cape Town, where he repeatedly challenged South Africa’s batters with pace, movement and accuracy. His nine wickets in the match were the key factor behind his climb to No. 1 in the Test bowling rankings.

The Australian had first reached the top of the rankings in August, replacing India’s Jasprit Bumrah. His stay there was short-lived, however. Jansen took over after claiming six wickets in the second Test at Gqeberha, putting the South African in pole position ahead of the series finale.

The Cape Town contest reversed that order. Starc finished with nine wickets, while Jansen collected three, allowing the Australian to regain the lead. The rankings shift offers a reminder that the race for the world’s top Test bowler can change quickly, particularly during a closely contested series.

What Starc’s rise means for Australia

Although Australia will be disappointed to have lost the series 2-1, Starc’s form is an encouraging sign for the team’s pace attack. His ability to make an impact across a Test match—rather than relying on a single spell—remains central to his value. For Australia, the left-armer’s latest performance provides a strong platform as the team looks ahead to future Test challenges.

For fans following the rankings, Starc’s return also adds intrigue to the next round of international fixtures. His position will depend on whether he can sustain his wicket-taking form, while Jansen and other leading bowlers will have opportunities to challenge him again.

Simon Harmer Makes a Major Rankings Leap

South Africa’s series victory was built on contributions from across the team, and off-spinner Simon Harmer was among the most influential performers in the final Test. Harmer took six wickets in Australia’s second innings, helping South Africa secure a 176-run win and clinch the series.

His match-winning effort lifted him nine places to seventh in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings. Harmer also moved ahead of teammate Kagiso Rabada, who now sits eighth. The jump reflects the impact of his control and persistence on a surface that rewarded disciplined spin bowling.

Harmer’s latest rating of 817 points is also notable in the context of South African cricket history. It is the second-highest rating ever recorded by a South African spinner, behind Hugh Tayfield’s 895 points from February 1957. That historical comparison underlines the scale of Harmer’s achievement and gives his rankings rise added significance.

Jansen Remains the World’s Top Test All-Rounder

Jansen may have surrendered the No. 1 position among Test bowlers, but he continues to lead the ICC Test all-rounders’ rankings. His half-century in the third Test strengthened his standing in that category and earned him a new career-best rating.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja moved to second place among Test all-rounders, while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan is fourth. South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder climbed one position to third, and Harmer advanced three places to fifth. The changes show how the rankings reward a combination of batting and bowling contributions, not just specialist performances.

Jansen’s position at the top of the all-rounder list is particularly significant given his role in South Africa’s successful series. His ability to contribute with both ball and bat makes him a valuable option in the Test side, even as the bowling rankings now place Starc ahead of him.

Batting Rankings Bring Career-Best Gains

The latest ICC update also produced movement among Test batters. South Africa’s Aiden Markram rose one place to 11th, while Mulder climbed seven positions to 17th. Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton was one of the biggest gainers, surging 25 places to 23rd and earning a new career-best rating.

Australia also had players move up the list. Cameron Green improved three places to share 19th, while wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey climbed two positions to join him at that ranking. Their progress offers Australia another positive takeaway from a series that ended in defeat.

In a separate result affecting the rankings, West Indies batter Justin Greaves rose 12 places to share 38th after his team’s victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Mirpur. The result demonstrated how individual performances in a single match can have a noticeable effect on a player’s standing.

West Indies Players Also Move Up

West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican gained six places to reach 30th in the Test bowling rankings. All-rounder Roston Chase advanced eight positions to share 23rd among Test all-rounders.

These gains reflect the broader reach of the latest rankings update, which covers performances from multiple Test series rather than focusing solely on Australia and South Africa. For players from teams outside the top-ranked sides, strong displays can provide an opportunity to build momentum and establish a higher international profile.

What to Watch in the Next ICC Rankings Update

Starc’s return to No. 1 is the headline, but the rankings picture remains fluid. Jansen is still close enough to challenge, Harmer has entered the top seven, and several batters and all-rounders have made career-best progress. The next set of Test results could quickly alter the order again.

For supporters seeking a prediction on what happens next, Starc’s position will likely depend on his consistency in upcoming matches, while Jansen’s all-round contributions give him more than one route to influence the rankings. Harmer, meanwhile, will aim to build on his Cape Town performance and strengthen his place among the leading Test bowlers.

Ultimately, the latest ICC rankings capture both the individual brilliance and the changing balance of international Test cricket. Australia may have lost the series, but Starc’s nine-wicket performance has put him back at the top of the bowling chart, while South Africa’s depth and Harmer’s breakthrough have ensured the rankings story extends well beyond the No. 1 spot.