Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc has reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings, after a dominant performance in the third Test in Cape Town.
Starc showed why he remains one of the world's premier pace bowlers at 36 years of age, sparking a late South African batting collapse on day one with figures of 6-72. He followed up with figures of 3-65 in the second innings despite Australia losing by 176 runs and losing the series 2-1.
The left-armer finished the series with 15 wickets to his name and currently sits in 10th on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers with 460, having recently overtaken South African great, Dale Steyn (439), on the standings.
South Africa's Marco Jansen, who was replaced in first position by Starc, was named the player of the series after taking 13 wickets and making 198 runs with the bat. He was the first South African bowler to sit atop the rankings since Kagiso Rabada in November 2024, while also being the first player from his country to become the top-ranked Test all-rounder since Vernon Philander in August 2014.
Teammate and spin hero for South Africa, Simon Harmer, has also climbed up a massive nine spots in the rankings thanks to a maiden 10-wicket match haul. The off-spinner's current rating of 817 points is the second highest by a South African spinner, only behind Hugh Tayfield, who recorded 895 in February 1957.
Harmer's efforts have also helped him move up three slots to fifth amongst the all-rounders, joining first-placed teammate Jansen and third-ranked teammate Wiaan Mulder to make it three from South Africa in the top five.
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Starc was previously the top-ranked Test bowler back in August this year, overtaking India's Jasprit Bumrah when he claimed 10 wickets to help Australia crush Bangladesh in a two-day Test.
The Australians now have four pace bowlers inside the top 10 with quicks Scott Boland in sixth, Pat Cummins in ninth, and Josh Hazlewood in 10th; while spinner Nathan Lyon is currently in 15th with a rating of 710.
Australia's series loss not only cost them their #1 Test team ranking, but also moved them into third spot in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (WTC) standings behind New Zealand and South Africa.
The Aussies now face a nervous wait ahead of their next Test series against New Zealand starting in Perth in December, as selection headaches loom.
Tests in India follow in early 2027, before the 150th Anniversary Test against England in March and then an eagerly anticipated Ashes series in June.
