Joseph leaps 42 spots in ICC bowling charts

West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph

LONDON,  CMC – West Indies fast bowling sensation, Shamar Joseph, has been rewarded for his recent outstanding performance in Australia with a leap of 42 places in the International Cricket Council’s Test bowling rankings.

The 24-year-old was one of the biggest movers en route to 50th in the rankings with 397 ratings points, the fifth best points-tally by a West Indies bowler after only two Tests.

Only Test icons Colin Croft (447), Alf Valentine (443), Sir Wes Hall (422) and Sonny Ramadhin (407) have gone better.

Joseph arrived Down Under as part of an inexperienced West Indies squad for the two-Test series, and made an instant impact with a five-wicket haul on debut in Adelaide.

He returned in the second Test in Brisbane to snatch seven wickets in the second innings as West Indies pulled off an unlikely eight-run win to level the series on the penultimate day.

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach, the leader of the West Indies attack, also experienced upward movement, jumping two places to 17th in the standings after taking three wickets in the first innings in Brisbane.

The 35-year-old finished the series with five wickets to move his career tally to 270 wickets.

Fellow fast bowler Alzarri Joseph also rose four places to 33rd after taking six wickets in the second Test.

Among the batsmen, wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva climbed 12 spots to 60th after a solid first innings half-century while left-hander Kirk McKenzie leapt nine places to 76th, following scores of 21 and 41 at the Gabba.

Kavem Hodge, who also debuted on the tour, shot up 98 places to 81st after punching 71 and 29 in the second Test.

New Zealander Kane Williamson continues to top the batting charts while India off-spinner Ravi Ashwin heads the bowling.