ELEVATED LEVEL

Smith closes in on Bradman, achieves second highest batting points

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Steve Smith compiled a brilliant double hundred in the third Test © Getty

Steven Smith, the Australianskipper, has jumped to 945 points to retain his number one spot in the latest ICC rankings for Test batsmen. This comes after his match-defining knock of 239 in the first innings of the third AshesTest, which the hosts pocketed by an innings and 41 runs to regain the Urn.

Smith, who had attained 941 points after the first Test, lost three points on the back of scoring 40 and six in Adelaide. His Perth knock, however, fetched him seven points. He is now just 16 points behind Don Bradman's all time highest batting points tally of 961.

Smith has been at the top for nearly two years now, precisely 114 Tests - fifth in the elite list. The list includes players of the calibre of Garry Sobers (189 Tests), Viv Richards (179), Brian Lara (140) and Sachin Tendulkar (139).

England's Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow climbed to 52nd and 15th spot respectively. Australia's Mitchell Marsh, who smashed 181 in the third Test, and Usman Khawaja have also jumped to 65th and 19th.

James Anderson tops the list for the bowlers with 892 points. Josh Hazlewood, who bagged eight wickets in the Perth Test, moved one spot to break into top five in the rankings. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins climbed four places to 39th, with England's Craig Overton taking the 89th slot.

© Cricbuzz

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