Starc's Surge to the Summit
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reached the pinnacle of ICC Test bowling rankings for the first time in his celebrated career. The 36-year-old's exceptional performance against Bangladesh, where he took a 10-wicket match haul, propelled him
past India's Jasprit Bumrah and New Zealand's Matt Henry. Starc's rise concludes Bumrah's two-month spell at the top, a position the Indian pacer has held for a cumulative 697 days. Starc’s achievement is a testament to his endurance and skill, marking a new career high after first breaking into the top two late last year.
1. James Anderson
When it comes to defying age, few can match England's James Anderson. In February 2023, at the age of 40 years and 207 days, Anderson became the oldest bowler to top the ICC Test rankings since 1936. His ascent to the top spot came after an impressive seven-wicket haul against New Zealand, ending Pat Cummins' four-year reign. It was the sixth time Anderson had claimed the premier position, a journey that first began in 2016. His longevity and ability to perform at the highest level, even finding a new lease of life under coach Brendon McCullum, make him a true icon of the sport.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar had a career filled with records, but his late-career peak was remarkable. He reclaimed the No. 1 Test batsman ranking in October 2010, and last held the top spot in June 2011, when he was over 37 years old. This was a culmination of a stunning run of form between 2007 and 2011, a period many considered a second prime for the Master Blaster after overcoming a career-threatening tennis elbow injury. Tendulkar first topped the charts in 1994 but proving his class, he battled back to the summit multiple times over his 24-year career, spending a total of 1,157 days as the world's best.
3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
With one of the most unorthodox batting stances in cricket history, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a pillar for the West Indies. In April 2012, at the age of 37, he reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test batsmen rankings. This was on the back of a prolific series against Australia where he was the leading run-scorer. It was not his first time at the top; he had previously held the number one position in 2008. Chanderpaul’s resilience and unique technique allowed him to score over 10,000 Test runs and remain a formidable opponent well into the later stages of his career.
4. Rangana Herath
Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath spent much of his early career in the shadow of the great Muttiah Muralitharan. However, after Murali's retirement, Herath came into his own. While he reached a career-best ranking of second in 2012 at the age of 34, he continued to be a dominant force for years. By November 2016, at age 38, following a stunning series against Australia where he took 28 wickets, he once again cemented his place among the world's elite bowlers, proving that his best years came when many are considering retirement.
5. Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-ul-Haq's career is a story of late-blooming success and incredible resilience. While he reached the No. 1 spot in T20I rankings earlier in his career, his leadership as captain after the age of 35 was monumental. In August 2016, at 42 years old, he led Pakistan to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time since 1988, a feat achieved despite Pakistan playing all their home games in the UAE. As a batsman, he was in the form of his life in 2013, becoming the leading ODI run-scorer of the year at age 39 and reaching a career-best 7th in the ODI rankings.
