Steve Smith still tops ICC Test batting rankings despite ban

He may be serving a ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, but former Australia captain Steve Smith remains the world’s top Test batsman according to the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.

Smith is No.1 in the list ahead of India’s Virat Kohli and England’s Joe Root, while former Australia vice-captain David Warner, who is also serving a suspension, is ranked fifth.

As The Guardian explains, the ICC “uses a points system to determine the rankings”. The latest rankings is for Smith’s form during the South Africa vs. Australia Test series in March. He missed the final match of the series after the scandal broke in the third Test in Cape Town.   

ICC Test batting rankings

• 1. Steve Smith (Australia) 929 rating 
• 2. Virat Kohli (India) 903 
• 3. Joe Root (England) 855 
• 4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) 847 
• 5. David Warner (Australia) 820

India are top of the ICC Test team rankings ahead of South Africa while England remain the world’s No.1 one-day (ODI) side. Pakistan are the top Twenty20 international (T20I) team.

ICC Test team rankings

• 1. India 125 
• 2. South Africa 106 
• 3. Australia 106 
• 4. New Zealand 102 
• 5. England 97

ICC ODI team rankings

• 1. England 127 
• 2. India 121 
• 3. South Africa 113 
• 4. New Zealand 112 
• 5. Pakistan 104

T20I team rankings

• 1. Pakistan 132 
• 2. India 124 
• 3. Australia 122 
• 4. England 117 
• 5. New Zealand 116