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Herath, Amla headline rankings update

Standout performances in recently-concluded Tests rewarded with some sharp rises on ICC lists

Rangana Herath's latest 10-wicket haul has propelled the Sri Lankan left-armer into second spot on the latest ICC Test rankings, released today.

The latest lists incorporate performances from the recently-concluded Tests between England and South Africa, and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, the latter of which saw the veteran left-armer Herath take match figures of 11-249 – the eighth 10-wicket match haul of his Test career.

Herath's performance in Sri Lanka's thrilling four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their one-off Test in Colombo saw him leapfrog India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin into second spot, though he still trails Ashwin's spin twin Ravindra Jadeja by 32 ratings points.

Zimbabwe recover after Herath spins a web

Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj's return of six wickets in his side's comprehensive win over England at Trent Bridge pushed him up 12 places to 26th spot, the best of his burgeoning career to date.

Image Id: 4D339C99524B4CB7A8AE044AA2DF2288 Image Caption: The ICC's top 10 Test bowlers // ICC

Among batsmen, South Africa veteran Hashim Amla's double of 78 and 87 in the second Test saw him return to the top 10, climbing six places into seventh spot.

Amla's performances caught the eye of Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who continues to be amazed by the brilliant South African.

"He's just so composed, nothing gets to him," Lyon said on The Unplayable Podcast when asked what makes Amla so difficult to bowl to.

"He knows his game inside out, he knows the shots he wants to play and the timing of them.

"He's just a world-class batter and the best going around I reckon."

In Colombo, Asela Gunaratne's match-winning double of 45 and 80no propelled him up 19 spots into a career-best 79th.

Image Id: 8CA59418735D40019D9877528E1DB5D8 Image Caption: The ICC's top 10 Test batters // ICC

In the allrounders category, Vernon Philander's five wickets and scores of 54 and 42 pushed him into fifth place, with Bangaldesh star Shakib Al Hasan still occupying top spot. 

Image Id: 63CF1604BBA34496B521C31B14CCBFA2 Image Caption: The ICC's top five Test allrounders // ICC