Gabriel, Roach move up after Zimbabwe draw

Windies pace bowler Shannon Gabriel has moved into the top 20 of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings after the drawn second Test of the series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo which his team won 1-0.

New Delhi: Windies pace bowler Shannon Gabriel has moved into the top 20 of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings after the drawn second Test of the series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo which his team won 1-0.

The 29-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, who held a career-high 18th place earlier this year, grabbed four wickets in the match to gain five slots and reach 20th position. He is now the highest-ranked Windies bowler, overtaking leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who is in 22nd place.

Gabriel is accompanied on the way up by new-ball partner Kemar Roach, who has gained four places to take 23rd position on the table after finishing with five wickets in the match.

Century-makers Jason Holder and Shane Dowrich also have something to cheer about after their 212-run eighth-wicket partnership in the Windies’ only innings of the match.

Captain Holder’s knock of 110 has lifted him five slots to 57th place while Dowrich’s innings of 106 sees him gain 17 places and reach 83rd position. Opener Kieren Powell is another one from the side to move northward, by five places, to reach 63rd position.

For Zimbabwe, Hamilton Masakadza has gained eight places to reach 41st position after scores of 147 and five, while Sikandar Raza’s knocks of 80 and 89 have lifted him 12 places to a career-best 44th position.

Peter Moor (up 18 places to a career-best 77th) and wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva (up nine places to 93rd) have also made significant gains

Raza’s career-best haul of five for 99 in the match has also lifted the off-spinning all-rounder to a career-best 83rd position among bowlers after a gain of 24 places.

There have been no changes at the top. Steve Smith still takes top position and he is followed by England skipper Joe Root. Indian skipper Virat Kohli is on 6^th position in the lo9ngest format of the game.

While, the Indian team has maintained its top position in the ICC Test ranking.