A five-wicket haul in Cairns has lifted South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj to No 1 in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings, nudging Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and India’s Kuldeep Yadav down a place each.
The 35-year-old left-arm spinner collected career-best figures of 5 for 33 in the first ODI against Australia, setting up a 98-run victory and a 1–0 lead for the tourists. The performance moves him back to the position he last held in November 2023.
“Rankings are nice, but the priority is always winning games,” Maharaj told the host broadcaster afterwards. “If the ball’s coming out well and the team’s on the right side of the result, I’m happy.”
Batting gains for South Africa
Half-centuries from Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma also earned ranking jumps. Markram climbs four spots to 21st among ODI batters, while Bavuma rises five to 23rd. Both benefited from a Cairns pitch that offered early seam before settling into something friendlier for stroke-play.
Hope headlines West Indies progress
Elsewhere, Shai Hope’s 207 runs against Pakistan have taken him to ninth on the batting list. The West Indies captain steered his side to a 2–1 series win, a result built on his ability to bat deep. Fast bowler Jayden Seales was similarly rewarded, leaping 15 places to 18th after a ten-wicket series.
Hope said after the decider: “Consistency is all I look for. If it helps us win, that’s a bonus.”
T20I movers
The recent South Africa–Australia T20Is produced further shifts. Australia’s Nathan Ellis, whose 3 for 31 sealed the final match, moves into the top ten at No 9, with team-mate Josh Hazlewood up to 18th. South Africa’s Dewald Brevis, fresh from a 56-ball 125 and a brisk 53, jumps nine spots to joint-12th among T20I batters.
Reading the changes
Spin remains a valuable currency in limited-overs cricket—Maharaj’s rise, coupled with Theekshana and Kuldeep’s consistency, underlines that trend. Yet the lists also reward versatility: Ellis and Seales, both adept at varying pace, have advanced quickly, while Brevis’ hitting shows how aggressive intent can translate into ranking points.
Rankings tell only part of the story, of course; form can be fleeting and conditions change. But as the global calendar narrows towards the next Champions Trophy, players rising now give their selectors timely reassurance.
“It’s a nice confidence boost,” Maharaj added, “though the bigger tests are still to come.”
