James Anderson returns to top of Test bowling rankings. Photo: Photosport
England's leading wicket-taker James Anderson has returned to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test bowling rankings for the sixth time in his career.
The seamer returned match figures of 7-54 in the first Test win in New Zealand to end Australia captain Pat Cummins' four-year reign at the top of the rankings.
Anderson first became No. 1 in May 2016 and was last at the top in November 2018 before being overtaken by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada.
Forty-year-old Anderson is the oldest bowler to top the Test rankings since Australia great Clarrie Grimmett in 1936.
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin moves into second after taking 14 wickets in the first two Tests against Australia, while Cummins drops to third.
Anderson has 682 Test wickets, third on the all-time list behind Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and late Australia great Shane Warne (708).
New Zealand batters Tom Blundell and Devon Conway have also reached career-best rankings.
Blundell's first innings knock of 138 against England in Mt Maunganui has lifted him four places to 11th while Conway's 77 has helped him move up five places to 17th.
