Dubai, March 17 (IANS) Graeme Swann’s maiden 10-wicket haul has made him the first England bowler in six years to rise to second position in the Reliance Mobile International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings for bowlers.
The 30-year-old off-spinner bowled England to a 181-run victory over Bangladesh in Chittagong to give his side a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Swann jumped three places in the latest rankings announced Wednesday.

Swann’s progress towards the top is even more remarkable as he was in 23rd position eight months ago. During this period, he has played 10 Tests and has claimed 45 wickets, including 14 against Australia and 21 against South Africa.

This means he could potentially edge closer or even surpass top ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa depending on how he performs in the second Test in Dhaka, which starts March 20.

Australian Mitchell Johnson and Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif have dropped one rung to third and fourth places respectively.

Despite its defeat, there is some positive and encouraging news for Bangladesh.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan has climbed to 15th position by improving his ranking by three places following match figures of 5-195 and Mushfiqur Rahim has become the second highest-ranked wicketkeeper-batsman after India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the rankings for Test batsmen.

The batting table is headed by India’s Virender Sehwag while Hashim Amla of South Africa is second followed by Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene at third.

In the list for all-rounders, Swann has moved to third position, while Shakib has dropped to the fourth spot.