Proteas Continue to Dominate Rankings

South Africa batsman, AB de Villiers, has overtaken teammate, Hashim Amla, to become the No 1 Test batsman in the latest world rankings. De Villiers added another century to his name with a sensational 164 in the second Test against Pakistan in October, climbing to 900 points in the ICC rankings.

De Villiers, who impressed Betfair punters by battling his way to a brave 90 in South Africa's seven-wicket defeat in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, became the fifth South African and 28th batsmen to reach 900 rating points, putting his name alongside Amla, Dudley Nourse, Graeme Pollock, Jacques Kallis, in the record books.

While the two South Africans occupy the top two places in the rankings, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third in the latest ratings after yet another impressive year for the West Indian stalwart.

Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke round off the top-five with Pakistan captain, Misbah-ul Haq, achieving a career-best sixth spot after his century in Abu Dhabi and a battling 88 in Dubai’s second Test.
It’s not just the batting rankings in which the Proteas top the table, with Dale Steyn maintaining his position as the world's best Test bowler and teammate, Vernon Philander, in second, with Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Australia Ryan Harris completing the top five.

So, it’s no surprise that South Africa hold onto the number-one spot in the Test rankings ahead of England in second and India in third.

England will continue their quest to reclaim the top spot when the begin the upcoming Ashes series against Australia, but the Betfair ambassadors believe that the current South Africa side don’t look as though they will relinquish their tag as the world’s best Test team just yet.