Mitchell Starc Reclaims No. 1 Spot in ICC Test Bowling Rankings, Overtakes Marco Jansen

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings, overtaking South Africa’s Marco Jansen following the latest rankings update on November 4, 2026.

Starc returned to the top after an outstanding performance in the third and final Test of the World Test Championship series against South Africa in Cape Town, where he claimed a nine-wicket match haul. The left-arm pacer moved ahead of Jansen, who had taken the top spot after an impressive display in the second Test at Gqeberha.

Mitchell Starc Returns to the Top of Test Bowling Rankings

Starc’s nine wickets in Cape Town proved decisive in the rankings battle. He had first reached the No. 1 position in August, ending Jasprit Bumrah’s reign at the top, before Jansen moved ahead following his six-wicket performance in the second Test against Australia.

Jansen managed three wickets in the series decider, while Starc’s stronger match return helped him regain the premier ranking. The latest update also marks a new career-best position for the Australian quick.

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Marco Jansen Drops to Second Among Test Bowlers

Jansen’s rise to the top of the rankings followed a major all-round performance in Gqeberha, where he scored 85 runs and took six wickets in the match. That effort had seen him displace Starc from the No. 1 bowling position.

Although Jansen has now slipped to second among Test bowlers, he continues to lead the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings. His performances with both bat and ball have made him one of South Africa’s most influential Test players.

Simon Harmer Makes a Major Rankings Jump

South Africa spinner Simon Harmer was among the other major gainers in the latest rankings update.

Harmer’s match-winning performance in Cape Town, including six wickets in Australia’s second innings, helped him climb nine places to seventh in the Test bowling rankings. He moved ahead of teammate Kagiso Rabada in the updated list.

ICC Test Bowling Rankings: Key Movers

Player	Update
Mitchell Starc	Reclaims No. 1
Marco Jansen	Moves to No. 2
Simon Harmer	Climbs nine places to No. 7

Other Players Make Gains in the Latest ICC Rankings

The rankings update also reflected performances across recent international cricket.

Australia batters Cameron Green and Alex Carey moved up to joint 19th in the Test batting rankings. West Indies batter Justin Greaves climbed 12 places to joint 38th after his team’s win over Bangladesh.

In the ODI rankings, Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf made progress following the home tri-series. India captain Shreyas Iyer also moved up two places to seventh in the T20I batting rankings after India’s series victory against New Zealand.

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Starc’s Return Adds to Australia’s Test Bowling Strength

Starc’s return to the top spot reinforces his standing as one of the leading fast bowlers in Test cricket. His ability to generate pace, swing and take wickets in crucial phases has remained a major asset for Australia.

The rankings change also reflects the competitive nature of the current Test bowling landscape, with Starc and Jansen exchanging the top position following standout performances in the Australia-South Africa series.

Conclusion

Mitchell Starc has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after taking nine wickets in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Marco Jansen has moved to second among bowlers but remains at the top of the Test all-rounder rankings, while Simon Harmer has climbed to seventh.

The latest update highlights the impact of recent Test performances and the close competition among the world’s leading bowlers.