Stuart Broad leaps up to second in ICC Test bowler rankings

Stuart Broad has moved up to second in the official Test rankings for bowlers following a rain-decimated second match of the series against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

Broad took four for 56 in the only completed innings of the drawn contest, extending his rich run of form since being dropped last month and moving him up one place in the ICC’s standings, above New Zealand left-armer Neil Wagner.

Only Australian Pat Cummins is above the 34-year-old, who now needs eight wickets in the final match of England’s biosecure 2020 Test fixtures to equal his previous best haul of 34 in a home summer – achieved in both 2013 and 2015.

Stuart Broad is now the second-best Test bowler in the world following ICC’s latest rankings

Broad collected four for 56 in a rain affected second Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl

He appeared seven times on each occasion in those years, although will only have featured in five if selected in the third Test starting on Friday.

New-ball partner James Anderson has also seen his rating improve, rising to 14th place from 16th, following figures of three for 60. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas is up two to eighth.

He needs eight wickets, if picked on Friday, to equal his previous best of 34 in a home summer