As per the latest Test batsman rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC), South Africa’s AB de Villiers has surpassed Australia’s Steven Smith to take the numero uno position after the latter failed to click with the bat during his team’s defeat to England in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on Saturday.

Smith, one of the most reliable Australia batsmen, couldn’t live up to his repute as he amassed just 33 runs in both the innings in his side’s loss. Consequently, he dropped 12 points to 901 points, lagging 7 points behind of the now top-ranked de Villiers in the list.

Meanwhile, England’s Joe Root achieved his career-best ranking of No. 4 after he jumped 3 places in the chart – thanks to his remarkable knocks of 134 and 60 in the first and second innings of the Cardiff Test respectively. At 884 points, he trails South African Hashim Amla (No. 3) by 7 odd points.

ICC Test Batsman Rankings