Banned Australian batsman Steve Smith reclaimed top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings from India's Virat Kohli on Monday, despite not having played since March.
The 29-year-old was suspended for a year and stripped of the captaincy by Cricket Australia following his part in the infamous ball-tampering scandal against South Africa, but his ranking points have not changed.
Steve Smith hasn't played a Test since March and is serving a 12-month ban. Today went back to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. (Pic: AP) #ICC #cricket https://t.co/e6yf4vfy7W pic.twitter.com/uNsmhMi1h9
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) August 13, 2018
India skipper Kohli had taken the number one place after scoring 200 runs in his team's first-Test defeat by England, but slipped back after managing only 40 in the second match of the series at Lord's last week.
Smith is currently playing T20 cricket in the Caribbean Premier League as he prepares for a possible return to the international game next year.
Virat Kohli slips below Steven Smith in the ICC Test rankings after scores of 23 and 17 at Lord's https://t.co/JYJ5IozsS3 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/fWxAUgkGCi
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 13, 2018
England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson remains top of the bowlers' rankings after taking nine wickets in their crushing innings victory in London.
