Australia's Steve Smith knocked off world Test batting top spot after slump

Australia’s Steve Smith knocked off world Test batting top spot after slump… while England star Ben Stokes remains top of the all-rounder rankings

  • England’s nemesis Steve Smith lost top position in the world Test batting ranking
  • The Australian has been replaced by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson 
  • However, England star Ben Stokes remains top of the Test all-rounder rankings 

England’s nemesis Steve Smith has fallen from top spot in the world rankings after three failures in the series against India.

The Aussie is replaced by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson who has also jumped above India skipper Virat Kohli. Smith, who had held the top spot since February, has scored just 10 runs across four innings against India, who levelled the series at 1-1 with victory in Melbourne last week.

It is the first time since 2015 that Williamson has held the top spot. He has scored a career-best 251 and 129 in two Tests this month.

England¿s nemesis Steve Smith has lost top position in the world Test batting ranking

England’s nemesis Steve Smith has lost top position in the world Test batting ranking

Kohli remains second overall, while Smith’s poor start to the Australian summer has seen him drop to third – the first time since November 2015 he has been outside the top two.

Williamson, playing his first Test since February because of the coronavirus pandemic, struck a sublime 251 to lead his side to victory over West Indies in the first Test earlier this month.

He missed the second Test because of the birth of his first child before returning to lead New Zealand to a thrilling final-hour victory in the first Test against Pakistan that boosts their hopes of making the World Test Championship final.

The Australian has been replaced by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (above)

The Australian has been replaced by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (above) 

As it stands, England star Ben Stokes (above) remains top of the Test all-rounder rankings

As it stands, England star Ben Stokes (above) remains top of the Test all-rounder rankings

England’s Ben Stokes remains top of the Test all-rounder rankings, but falls one place in the batting rankings to eighth, one spot above captain Joe Root.

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins remains top of the Test bowling rankings, ahead of England’s Stuart Broad and New Zealand’s Neil Wagner. 

It is the first time since 2015 that Williamson has held the No1 position. He has scored a career-best 251 and 129 in two Tests this month.

Kohli remains second overall, while Smith’s poor start to the Australian summer has seen him drop to third — the first time since November 2015 he has been outside the top two.

England’s Ben Stokes remains top of the Test all-rounder rankings. Australia paceman Pat Cummins remains top of the Test bowling rankings, ahead of England’s Stuart Broad and New Zealand’s Neil Wagner.

source: dailymail.co.uk