Sri Lankan cricketers achieve career-best positions in ICC Test Rankings
Six Sri Lankan cricketers have reached new career highs in the updated ICC Test Rankings released on Wednesday. This achievement follows their historic Test victory against England at The Oval. The triumphant match marked Sri Lanka's first-ever Test win over England on foreign soil. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis, and opener Pathum Nissanka were the driving forces alongside the bowlers for a majestic victory. Here are the details.
Dhananjaya de Silva rises to 13th in Test Rankings (Batters)
De Silva, who scored a 69-run knock in the first innings of the 3rd Test, has now achieved a career-best rating. Dhananjaya's 69 was laced with 11 fours. He consumed 111 balls. He hit his 17th fifty in Tests. This performance propelled him three places up to 13th position in the Test rankings for Batters. He is now the highest-ranked player from his team on this list. He has 699 rating points under his belt.
Nissanka makes a significant leap of 42 spots`
Mendis climbed six places to reach 19th position overall, following his half-century against England. He owns a total of 664 rating points is tied alongside Shubman Gill for now. Nissanka made a significant leap of 42 spots to secure 39th place after scoring an impressive 64 and unbeaten 127. Nissanka brought up his maiden Test century in England. Overall, it was his second ton. His 127* became the fifth-highest score by a visiting batter in successful run-chases in England (Tests).
England's Brook and Pope witness ranking shifts
England's Harry Brook experienced a severe drop, falling seven places to be placed 12th after scoring 19 and 3 against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Stand-in captain Ollie Pope climbed seven places to equal 27th following his century (154) in the first innings against Sri Lanka. Wicket-keeper Jamie Smith also improved his position by six spots to equal 30th. He smashed a counter-attacking half-century in the second innings during England's score of 156.
Sri Lankan bowlers shine in latest ICC Test Rankings
In the latest ICC Test Rankings for Bowlers, three Sri Lankan players achieved career-best ratings. Vishwa Fernando led the pack by climbing 13 spots to equal 31st after taking five match wickets during the 3rd Test against England. His teammates Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake also made significant gains. Kumara, who took a four-fer in the 2nd innings, moved up 10 rungs to 32nd. Meawnhile, Rathnayake jumped an impressive 26 spots to equal 84th.
