Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
January 5, 2024
The ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings have experienced a substantial change, as Australia has successfully unseated India to recapture the prestigious number one spot. This change in leadership follows Australia’s recent triumphs, including their victory in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23, which has propelled them back to the summit of Test cricket.
Despite India’s draw against South Africa in their recent two-match series, Australia’s consistent performances and significant accomplishments have been instrumental in their return to the No.1 spot. The ICC acknowledged Australia’s strong home record and its success in the ICC World Test Championship Final as critical factors in Australia’s resurgence in the Test rankings. The impact of Australian captain Pat Cummins’ leadership has also been notable in their ascent to the top.
Following a remarkable 1-1 series draw between India and South Africa, the ICC World Test Championship 2023 winners, Australia, have reclaimed their position atop the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. The last time Australia held this coveted No.1 spot was after their triumphant performance in the WTC Final. Before this recent rankings update, India and Australia were deadlocked at 118 points each. India just managed to edge out Australia to claim the top spot across all Men’s Team Rankings formats.
This latest success adds another feather to Australia’s cap in a year filled with outstanding achievements. Their decisive 2-0 series victory against Pakistan, combined with India’s drawn series against South Africa, has propelled the Pat Cummins-led squad to the pinnacle of Test cricket. Building upon their ICC World Test Championship Final win and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup triumph, Australia’s ascension to the summit of Test rankings solidifies their dominance in the cricketing world.
With the ongoing third Test between Australia and Pakistan and the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England on the horizon, the landscape of the Test Team Rankings could experience further shifts as teams vie for the top position while accumulating crucial ICC World Test Championship points. As international cricket continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the thrilling contest for the top spot promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced an impressive shortlist for the highly coveted Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2023 award.
41 wickets in seven matches
Renowned Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has secured his third nomination for the prestigious ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. He previously won the award in 2016 and received a nomination in 2021. His consistent and impactful performances have significantly contributed to India’s success in the Test arena.
Ashwin played a crucial role in India’s journey to the World Test Championship 2021-23 Final and continues to make waves in the current championship. During the Border-Gavaskar series, his outstanding efforts were on full display, as he claimed 25 wickets across four matches, helping India retain the coveted title. Additionally, Ashwin surpassed Anil Kumble’s record of 111 wickets against Australia, becoming India’s leading wicket-taker against the Aussies with 114 scalps.
His all-round prowess was further exemplified by his valuable 86 runs in the low-scoring series, which ultimately earned him the well-deserved Player of the Series award. Despite his remarkable performances, Ashwin was surprisingly omitted from the June XI in the World Test Championship Final. However, following India’s WTC23 Final setback, Ashwin was reintroduced to the team in the first game against the West Indies, where he delivered an outstanding performance, securing 12 wickets and following up with a half-century and three wickets in the subsequent match.
The world’s No.1 ranked Test bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin, showcased his brilliance in the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in Nagpur. He was instrumental in India’s commanding victory with eight crucial wickets and valuable runs.
Ashwin halted Alex Carey’s aggressive innings in the first innings, preventing Australia from posting a daunting total. His remarkable performance included dismissing key players Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, ultimately bowling out Australia for 177.
As a nightwatchman, Ashwin protected Rohit Sharma towards the end of Day 1 and contributed 23 crucial runs on Day 2, forming a 42-run partnership with the captain.
Ashwin opened the bowling on a spin-friendly pitch and predictably dismissed Australia’s left-handed openers. He secured a five-wicket haul – the 31st of his career – by trapping three middle-order batters leg before wicket. Australia were dismissed for 91, suffering an innings and 132 runs defeat.
919 runs in 12 matches
Travis Head’s 2023 was phenomenal, as he played an integral role in Australia’s triumphs in the World Test Championship, Ashes, and World Cup.
Since his debut in 2018, Head experienced his most successful year in Test cricket, beginning with a solid half-century against South Africa in the New Year’s match. His remarkable consistency stood out even in the demanding Border-Gavaskar series, as he was one of only three Australian batters to surpass 200 runs despite participating in just three matches.
Head’s golden run extended into the World Test Championship Final against India, where he delivered a match-winning performance, headlined by a blistering century that steered Australia to victory.
In the 2023 Ashes, Head continued to shine, scoring fifty in the first three matches against England. His valuable contributions throughout the year, including the ongoing series against Pakistan, have solidified his status as a critical player for Australia.
Travis Head picked the perfect moment to score his lone century of the year – the grand stage of the World Test Championship Final.
With Australia at a precarious 76/3 and India’s bowlers inflicting early damage, Head partnered with the resolute Steve Smith to launch an aggressive counterattack on Day 1. Unleashing an array of breathtaking strokes, Head raced to a century off just 106 deliveries, peppering the boundary with 14 fours and a six.
By the end of Day 1, Australia had amassed an imposing total of 327/3, with Head standing tall on an unbeaten 146.
Head’s impressive form carried into Day 2, quickly surpassing the 150-run mark. Although he eventually lost his wicket, his blistering knock had already propelled Australia into a commanding position.
In the broader context of the match, Head’s century was more than just a personal milestone—it dismantled the Indian bowling attack’s morale. It played a pivotal role in securing Australia’s coveted WTC23 title.
1210 runs in 13 matches
Building upon his remarkable comeback in 2022, Usman Khawaja’s meteoric rise continued into 2023, culminating in a second consecutive nomination for the prestigious Test Cricketer of the Year award.
Khawaja commenced the year in scintillating form, carrying his momentum from the previous year into a career-best performance of 195* against South Africa.
In the ultimate test of his career – the challenging away series against India – Khawaja emerged as the leading run-scorer from both sides, amassing an impressive 333 runs across Throughout the four matches, the player exhibited an impressive performance, securing a remarkable century and two outstanding half-centuries.
Unfazed by the World Test Championship Final setback, Khawaja returned to life in the Ashes, topping the series’ run-scoring charts with an outstanding 496 runs.
Demonstrating relentless consistency, Khawaja finished the year on a high note with three 40+ scores against Pakistan.
With a monumental total of 1210 runs, Khawaja stood Head and shoulders above the rest as the only Player to surpass the 1000-run threshold in Test cricket during the demanding yet rewarding 2023 season.
Khawaja’s remarkable performances against South Africa (195*) and India (180) were truly memorable. However, his heroic efforts during the fiercely contested Ashes series against arch-rivals England elevated his game to new heights.
In the first Test, England’s surprise declaration at 393/8 applied early pressure on Australia; however, Khawaja remained unfazed, forming crucial partnerships with Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey on his way to a century that brought Australia within striking distance of England’s total.
Once again, Khawaja was England’s nemesis when they set a challenging target of 281 for victory. Undeterred, Khawaja delivered a gritty and determined 65 off 197 balls, anchoring Australia’s innings despite mounting pressure.
Although his dismissal left Australia reeling at 209/7, Pat Cummins’s brilliant batting display ultimately guided the team to a thrilling Ashes win.
Recognized for his exceptional century and fifty in the second innings, Khawaja deservedly earned the coveted Player of the Match award, further solidifying his status as a key player in Australia’s Test squad.
787 runs and 8 wickets in 8 matches
In pursuit of his second ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year accolade, Joe Root collaborates with Ashwin to replicate the success of his previous victory in 2021.
Root spectacularly commenced the year, notching three impressive 50+ scores during the two-match series against New Zealand. His highlights included a masterful 153* and 95 in the second game, culminating in one of the most exhilarating Test matches of the year, with New Zealand emerging victorious by a mere one run.
Maintaining his form, Root followed up with another half-century in the one-off Test against Ireland before delivering a stellar performance in the Ashes series.
Root ignited the five-match showdown against Australia with an impeccable 118* in the opening Test. Despite a few modest returns in subsequent matches, Root finished the series on a high, securing a half-century in the final two Tests, contributing to England’s hard-fought 2-2 series draw.
In addition to his formidable batting prowess, Root showcased his versatility by claiming eight wickets throughout the 2023 season, proving himself to be a valuable all-rounder in the Test arena.
In a match destined to be immortalized as one of the rare occasions when a team emerges victorious after being asked to follow on in Test cricket, Joe Root orchestrated a masterclass in each innings, nearly guiding England to an improbable triumph.
With England reeling at 21/3, Root partnered with Harry Brook to weather the storm, constructing a monumental 302-run stand. As Brook unleashed a relentless barrage, Root remained steadfast at the other end, ensuring England’s continued resilience.
Having gone seven matches without a century, Root chose the perfect moment to end his drought, securing his 29th Test ton.
In just 42 more deliveries, Root reached the 150-run milestone, prompting England’s declaration.
Despite bowling the hosts out for 209 and enforcing the follow-on, New Zealand bounced back to set a challenging target of 258 for England.
Once again, England found themselves in trouble at 80/5 when Root and Ben Stokes combined forces to bail out their side. This time, Root adopted an aggressive approach. At the same time, Stokes maintained composure as the duo forged a crucial 121-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
With Root agonizingly close to another century, just five runs short, Wagner intervened, dismissing the star batsman after removing Stokes in the previous over.
Despite Root’s valiant efforts in both innings, Wagner claimed the final wicket of James Anderson, leaving England heart-wrenchingly short by a single run and resulting in a devastating loss for the visitors.
Show your favorite team some love! Visit our site to let them know you’re cheering them on.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates
