STEVE Smith’s player-of-the-match performance at the SCG has seen him leapfrog Virat Kohli into second place on the official Test batting rankings but the Australia still trails New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Smith scored 131 and 81 in the drawn third Vodafone Test in Sydney, a performance that saw him move ahead of Kohli on 900 rating points, 19 points behind Williamson, who posted 238 against Pakistan in Christchurch.
Williamson’s tally of 919 points is the highest by any New Zealand batter ever, four more than the previous best of 915, also set by the Kiwi skipper in December 2018.
Smith wasn’t the only Australian to move up the rankings, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood climbing three places to be the fifth-ranked Test bowler in the world.
Hazlewood claimed figures of 4-82 against India to replace teammate Mitch Starc at No.5 (Starc had dropped to No.8) while Pat Cummins’ five wickets at the SCG saw him edge further clear at the top of the Test bowling rankings. Unbelievable! Hazlewood brilliance runs out Vihari.

Marnus Labuschagne, who produced scores of 91 and 73 in Sydney, is now only four ranking points shy of Kohli in third place, and another good outing at the Gabba – his home turf – in the fourth Test could see him surpass the India superstar.
While individual rankings are updated after every Test, the team rankings are updated at the conclusion of each series.
With Australia and India locked at 1-1, the outcome of the fourth and final Test will have significant implications on the rankings.
A win to Tim Paine’s men will see them regain the No.1 ranking on 119 rating points, one clear of New Zealand, who took top spot for the first time after their 2-0 series win over Pakistan.
However, an India win will move them up to second and Australia to third on 113 points, while a draw will see no change to the table. (Cricket.com.au)