Stuart Broad Takes Over Top Spot From Ravichandran Ashwin in ICC Test Rankings

England fast bowler Stuart Broad replaced India's Ravichandran Ashwin as the top ranked bowler in Tests on Sunday following his superb performance against South Africa in the ongoing Test series. (Ravichandran Ashwin, Steven Smith End 2015 as Best in Test Cricket)

Broad produced a 'Man of the Match' performance against South Africa in the third Test at Johannesburg on Saturday, taking 6-17 to skittle the hosts out for just 83 runs in the second innings for England to win by seven wickets. (Stuart Broad Bowls England to Series Victory Over South Africa)

England took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series that also confirmed that India will replace South Africa as the top-ranked Test side, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement. (ICC Test Rankings: India Regain Top Spot After Nearly Five Years)

Broad entered the Johannesburg Test in third position on 853 points but, after figures of two for 82 and six for 17, the 29-year-old earned 27 points to leapfrog Ashwin and South Africa's Dale Steyn into the top position.

Broad now sits on 880 points and leads the India spinner by nine points. Steyn is third with 850 points.

Broad is the first England bowler since Steve Harmison to top the Test bowlers rankings. Harmison had reached the top in 2004 and stayed there for 120 days. Before Harmison, Ian Botham had achieved the number-one ranking in 1980.

Broad has gained four places after earning 40 points since arriving in South Africa as he has picked up 15 wickets in three Tests to date.

Ravindra Jadeja is the other Indian in the top 10, retaining his sixth spot with 789 points.

In the Test rankings for batsmen, Ajinkya Rahane retained his joint 10th spot he shares with Australia's Adam Voges, with 753 points. The list continues to be topped by Australia's Steve Smith with 899.

Ashwin continues to lead the all-rounders rankings with 406 points while Jadeja remains in fifth place with 259.