South Africa batter Connor Esterhuizen has made headlines in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after a strong series win in New Zealand. He has achieved the second-highest rating points for a player from South Africa with 551 points, trailing only former captain Graeme Smith, who has 617 points.
The 24-year-old rose an impressive 64 places to reach the 39th position following his debut series. His performance included scores of 45 not out, eight, 15, and match-winning innings of 57 and 75, earning him two Player of the Match awards. Esterhuizen’s total of 200 runs also garnered him the Player of the Series title as South Africa secured a 3-2 victory.
In the rankings, Esterhuizen stands as the fourth-best South African batter after five matches, with Smith leading at that point in his career, while Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram were ranked 30th when they reached similar milestones.
Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai currently holds the top rating points with 697 after five matches, boasting scores of 18, 74, 82, 11, and 162 not out, placing him in the 10th position.
In the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, South Africa fast bowler Gerald Coetzee improved his rank to joint-52nd after taking two wickets for 21 runs in the crucial fifth T20I in Christchurch. Meanwhile, Ottneil Baartman moved up from 66th to 56th in the rankings.
Check Full ICC Player Rankings here