ICC Test Bowling Rankings 2026: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reportedly returned to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings following an impressive nine-wicket performance in Cape Town. The 36-year-old left-arm pacer is said to have overtaken South Africa's Marco Jansen, adding another significant achievement to his international cricket career.

According to a report published on November 5, 2026, Starc's outstanding bowling display helped him move from second position to first in the latest rankings update.

The report also highlights changes involving South African pacer Marco Jansen, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan's fast-bowling pair of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

However, the reported rankings and match performances require confirmation against the ICC's official records.

Mitchell Starc's Nine-Wicket Performance Reportedly Changes Test Rankings

Mitchell Starc has been one of Australia's most influential fast bowlers for more than a decade. Known for his express pace, late swing and ability to trouble batters with the new and old ball, the left-arm pacer has consistently played an important role in Australia's Test bowling attack.

The latest report claims that Starc claimed nine wickets during a Test match in Cape Town, producing the performance needed to regain the top position in the ICC Test bowling rankings.

His reported rise from second to first place came at the expense of South African fast bowler Marco Jansen.

Starc's ability to generate pace and movement makes him particularly dangerous when conditions favour seam bowling. His experience also allows him to adjust his approach depending on the match situation.

The reported achievement would represent another major milestone for the Australian veteran, who continues to compete at the highest level despite being in the later stages of his international career.

Marco Jansen Reportedly Drops to Second Position

South African fast bowler Marco Jansen is said to have slipped to second place following the latest rankings update.

According to the supplied report, Jansen had previously reached the top position after taking six wickets in a Test match in Gqeberha.

However, his subsequent performance in Cape Town was reportedly less productive, with the left-arm pacer collecting three wickets.

Meanwhile, Starc's nine-wicket performance is said to have provided the Australian with enough ranking points to move ahead.

The reported change highlights how performances in international matches can influence the ICC's player ratings.

A bowler's position is determined through a points-based system rather than simply by counting the total number of wickets taken.

Factors such as match performances and the strength of the opposition contribute to the overall assessment.

Starc Had Also Reportedly Reached No. 1 Earlier in 2026

The November report suggests that this was not Starc's first appearance at the top of the Test bowling rankings during 2026.

He had reportedly secured the leading position in August after moving ahead of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah has been one of India's most successful Test bowlers in recent years, particularly because of his accuracy, unusual bowling action and effectiveness across different playing conditions.

The competition among experienced bowlers such as Starc and Bumrah, alongside emerging talents such as Jansen, reflects the quality of fast bowling in international Test cricket.

For Starc, maintaining his effectiveness across different conditions remains an important part of his success.

ICC T20I Rankings: Shreyas Iyer Reportedly Gains Two Places

The rankings report also mentions a notable improvement for Indian batter Shreyas Iyer.

According to the article, Iyer has climbed two positions to reach seventh place in the ICC Men's T20 International batting rankings.

The reported movement suggests an improvement in his rating compared with other international batters.

Iyer is recognised for his ability to build innings, rotate the strike and attack spin bowling.

His aggressive stroke play can be particularly useful in the middle overs, when teams often attempt to increase the scoring rate.

However, his reported seventh-place position should be verified through the official ICC T20I batting rankings before being treated as confirmed.

Pakistan Pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf Reportedly Improve ODI Rankings

Pakistan's fast-bowling department also features in the latest reported rankings developments.

According to the supplied article, both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have improved their positions in the ICC Men's ODI bowling rankings.

Shaheen is widely known for his ability to swing the new ball and take early wickets, while Rauf relies heavily on pace, aggressive lengths and variations.

Their contrasting bowling styles provide Pakistan with different options during one-day international matches.

Although the report mentions upward movement for both players, it does not provide their exact previous or updated ranking positions.

Those details would need to be checked against the ICC's latest official ODI bowling table.

How the ICC Player Rankings Work

The International Cricket Council maintains separate player rankings for Test cricket, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.

Each format has individual rankings for batters, bowlers and all-rounders.

Players receive ratings based on their performances, with the rankings designed to reflect their standing relative to other international cricketers.

A strong performance can improve a player's rating, while changes in other players' scores may also affect their relative positions.

The system does not automatically award the top position to the bowler with the most wickets in a single match.

Instead, performances are assessed within a broader rating framework.

This means a player can rise or fall even when the changes in individual match statistics appear relatively small.

Why the Reported Rankings Matter

The latest claims place attention on several leading international cricketers across different formats.

For Australia, Starc's reported return to the top would underline his continued importance as an experienced Test bowler.

For South Africa, Jansen's position near the top reflects his emergence as a significant figure in the country's pace attack.

Meanwhile, the reported improvements involving Iyer, Shaheen and Rauf show how player rankings remain a closely followed measure of international cricket performances.

The next official ICC update will provide the clearest picture of the standings and the rating points separating the leading players.