The latest ICC Test Rankings have brought a major change at the top of the bowling chart, with Australia’s Mitchell Starc replacing India’s Jasprit Bumrah as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler. The 36-year-old left-arm pacer reached the summit for the first time in his career after producing a match-winning performance against Bangladesh in Mackay.
Starc’s rise comes after he claimed 10 wickets in the second Test against Bangladesh, helping Australia secure an innings-and-51-run victory. His figures of six for 12 in the first innings and four for 39 in the second made him the decisive performer in the match and earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
The ranking change is significant not only because Bumrah has been one of the dominant Test bowlers of recent years, but also because Starc has spent much of his career among the world’s leading fast bowlers without previously reaching the No. 1 position.
Mitchell Starc Becomes No. 1 for the First Time
Starc’s elevation to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings marks a career milestone.
The Australian moved up two places after his outstanding performance in Mackay, overtaking both Bumrah and New Zealand’s Matt Henry. According to the latest ICC update, Starc leads Bumrah by 10 rating points.
His previous best position in the Test rankings was No. 2, which he first reached after the Boxing Day Test last year. Despite spending much of his 15-year Test career inside the top 10, the No. 1 ranking had remained just beyond his reach.
At 36, the achievement adds another major milestone to a career that has already included World Cup triumphs and a long list of match-winning performances for Australia.
Starc’s 10-Wicket Haul Changed the Rankings
The immediate reason behind Starc’s rise was his extraordinary performance against Bangladesh.
In the second Test at Mackay, Starc produced figures of 6/12 in Bangladesh’s first innings, helping dismiss the visitors for only 64 runs. He returned in the second innings to claim 4/39, completing his fourth career 10-wicket match haul.
Australia went on to win the Test by an innings and 51 runs, levelling the two-match series 1-1 after Bangladesh had won the opening Test in Darwin.
Starc finished the match with figures of 10/51, while his 12 wickets across the series came at an average of 12.08. His performances earned him the Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours.
The performance provided exactly the kind of ranking boost that can move an established player to the top of the ICC system.
Why Jasprit Bumrah Lost the Top Spot
Bumrah’s fall to No. 2 does not indicate a sudden decline in his ability. Instead, the latest rankings have been influenced by his absence from India’s ongoing World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka and Starc’s exceptional recent performances.
Bumrah first reached the No. 1 Test bowling position in February 2024 and remained there for much of the following two years. His latest spell at the top lasted around two months, but his overall record at No. 1 remains remarkable.
The ICC noted that Bumrah has spent a combined 697 days at the top of the Test bowling rankings. That is the most by an Indian bowler and the 14th-highest total by any bowler in the history of the rankings.
Therefore, Starc’s achievement should be viewed as a reflection of his recent excellence rather than simply a setback for Bumrah.
Matt Henry Slips to Third
The rankings change also affected New Zealand’s Matt Henry.
Henry, who had been among the leading Test bowlers, dropped to third place after Starc’s jump to No. 1 and Bumrah’s move to second.
The movement demonstrates how closely positioned the leading Test bowlers have become. A single outstanding series can make a substantial difference when players are separated by relatively small rating margins.
The battle between Starc, Bumrah and Henry is therefore likely to remain one of the most interesting aspects of the Test bowling rankings as the current World Test Championship cycle develops.
Starc’s Long Road to the Summit
Starc’s No. 1 ranking is especially notable because of the longevity of his international career.
The Australian has been a leading Test fast bowler for roughly 15 years. His left-arm angle, pace, movement and ability to generate dangerous spells with the new ball have made him a key part of Australia’s bowling attack for years.
The ICC noted that Starc had been inside the top 10 for much of his Test career and had recently moved into the top three following strong performances during the Ashes towards the end of last year.
His latest achievement shows how sustained excellence can eventually translate into the highest individual ranking, even after years spent just below the summit.
A Match-Winning Performance in Mackay
Starc’s ranking achievement cannot be separated from the conditions and circumstances of the Bangladesh Test.
The match was played on a bouncy Mackay surface that proved difficult for batters. Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 in their first innings, while Australia were bowled out for 210. Bangladesh then collapsed for 95 in their second innings.
Starc made the most of the conditions, repeatedly troubling Bangladesh’s batters with his pace and left-arm angle.
His first-innings spell was particularly destructive. He claimed five wickets in just 22 balls during the opening day as Bangladesh suffered a dramatic collapse.
The result was Australia’s emphatic response after suffering a nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin.
Starc Also Moves Into the Top 10 for Test Wickets
The Mackay Test produced another milestone for Starc.
With his wickets in the match, he moved to 10th place on the all-time Test wicket-takers list with 445 dismissals. He is already the most prolific left-arm pace bowler in Test cricket.
That achievement underlines the extraordinary longevity of his career.
Fast bowlers often face significant physical demands over long careers, making Starc’s ability to continue performing at the highest level particularly notable.
His current form suggests that his role in Australia’s Test plans remains highly significant.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon Also Gain
The latest ICC rankings were not only about Starc.
Australia captain Pat Cummins moved up to fourth among Test bowlers after taking six wickets during the Bangladesh series. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon climbed two places to return to the top 10 at No. 10.
That means Australia now have three bowlers inside the top 10: Starc at No. 1, Cummins at No. 4 and Lyon at No. 10.
The rankings underline the depth and experience within Australia’s Test bowling attack.
Shoriful Islam Earns a Major Ranking Boost
Bangladesh may have lost the second Test heavily, but left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam produced a notable individual performance.
He claimed 7/48, the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, according to Reuters.
The ICC rankings reflected his performance as well, with Shoriful moving up 17 places to 57th among Test bowlers.
His performance provides Bangladesh with an encouraging takeaway despite the series ending level.
Other Major Changes in the Test Rankings
The latest update also saw several other players make significant gains.
England’s Ollie Robinson climbed 15 places to 11th after taking eight wickets in the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. His England teammate Josh Tongue moved up 16 places to 17th after also making an important contribution with the ball.
India’s Manav Suthar made an even larger jump, rising 28 places to a career-best 48th after taking 10 wickets in India’s 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle.
These changes show that the Test rankings continue to shift quickly as players take advantage of opportunities in ongoing series.
Rishabh Pant Returns to the Test Batting Top 10
There was also movement in the batting rankings.
England’s Harry Brook retained the No. 1 position and increased his lead over teammate Joe Root to 24 rating points. India’s Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, returned to the top 10 for the first time in a year, moving six places to seventh after scores of 39 and 66 against Sri Lanka.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja also retained the No. 1 position in the Test all-rounder rankings.
What Starc’s Ranking Means for India and Australia
The change at the top adds another interesting dimension to the rivalry between Australia’s Starc and India’s Bumrah.
Both are highly experienced fast bowlers, but they offer very different styles. Starc is a left-arm quick capable of producing extreme pace and movement, particularly with the new ball. Bumrah’s unusual action, accuracy and ability to create movement from different angles have made him one of the most difficult bowlers to face across conditions.
Their positions in the rankings are therefore likely to remain closely watched.
Bumrah’s return to action and future performances could put pressure on Starc’s newly acquired position, while another strong series for Australia could allow the left-armer to strengthen his lead.
The Bigger Picture for the World Test Championship
The rankings changes are also taking place during the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, making individual performances particularly important.
Australia’s 1-1 draw against Bangladesh means the series ended without a winner, but Starc’s performance provided Australia with a strong response after the unexpected Darwin defeat. The team will now have to maintain its momentum ahead of a challenging three-Test tour of South Africa in October.
For Starc, upcoming Tests will provide an opportunity to demonstrate that his rise to No. 1 is not simply the result of one exceptional match.
Conclusion
Mitchell Starc is officially the No. 1 Test bowler in the latest ICC rankings, achieving the position for the first time in his career. His rise was powered by a spectacular 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Mackay, where he produced figures of 6/12 and 4/39 in Australia’s innings-and-51-run victory.
Jasprit Bumrah moves to second after spending a combined 697 days at the top, while Matt Henry drops to third. Starc’s achievement is a major milestone for a player who has remained among Test cricket’s elite bowlers for much of his long international career.
At 36, the Australian pacer has added another remarkable chapter to his career. His challenge now will be to maintain the consistency that took him to the summit, while Bumrah and other leading bowlers will be looking to reclaim the No. 1 position in the Tests ahead.
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