Johannesburg - Proteas bowler Dale Steyn has held onto his number one spot in the latest ICC Test rankings released on Tuesday.
Steyn tops the bowler rankings with 875 points, despite not playing since the first Test in early November in the four match series against hosts India. The Proteas quick did not play any part in the final three Tests after that series as he battled a groin injury, and will be hoping to be fit in time to take on visitors England in the first of four Tests on December 26 in Durban. Steyn has held the number one bowler ranking since December 2013.
Also in the top 10 bowler rankings is the injured Vernon Philander at number nine. Philander has been ruled out of the first two Tests against England, and will be hopeful of a return in the final two Tests.
Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin is in second place on 871 points after taking 31 wickets against South Africa.
In the batting rankings, South African batsman AB de Villiers moved back up to second place behind the top-ranked Joe Root of England. Proteas captain Hashim Amla holds eighth place in the batsmen rankings.
Philander also features in the allrounder rankings at number four, with Ashwin holding top spot.
African News Agency