South Africa's Vernon Philander takes over at the top of ICC Test bowler rankings South Africa has dominated the latest ICC rankings with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander battling it out for the number one spot, with Australia's Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle fifth and sixth respectively. Philander took seven wickets in the drawn first Test against India. SOUTH Africa paceman Vernon Philander has ended compatriot Dale Steyn's four-year reign as the world's top-ranked bowler. Philander took top spot in the latest ICC Rankings after outshining Steyn in the dramatic drawn first Test against India in Johannesburg where South Africa fell just short of chasing down a world record run chase. The 28-year-old claimed seven wickets in the match while Steyn, who had taken over from Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran as the world's top bowler in July 2009, managed just one. While the pair may be remembered for their unpopular decision to abandon the run chase in the closing overs, Philander said he is happy with his position as the No. 1 ranked Test bowler. "It is an honour to have been bowling alongside a champion like Dale," he said. It's been a great couple of years for our squad, and I have been fortunate enough to contribute to our success on the field. What has been the most pleasing, though, for us has been the all-round contribution from everyone in the squad that has been the main reason for our success over the last few years. Needless to say, it is always easier to be at the top of your game and successful when you are part of a winning team. Dale has been a tireless workhorse for us and continues to consistently put in quality performances for our team, it is no wonder that he was at the top of the bowling ranking for so long. Ahead of the Boxing Day Ashes Test, Australia's highest ranked bowlers are Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle in fifth and sixth, with Ashes series star Mitchell Johnson next best down in 13th, Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott hailing our pace attack the best in world cricket. Stuart Broad is England's best-ranked Test bowler in ninth. South Africa also has a stranglehold on the batting rankings, AB de Villiers, who made a century in Johannesburg, consolidated his No. 1 spot, with Australian captain Michael Clarke the only Ashes player inside the top 10. ICC Rankings - Top 10 Test Bowlers as of 24/12/2013 1. Vernon Philander (RSA) 912 2. Dale Steyn (RSA) 890 3. Rangana Herath (SRI) 831 4. Saeed Ajmal (PAK) 824 5. Ryan Harris (AUS) 796 6. Peter Siddle (AUS) 786 7. Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) 767 8. Prahyan Ojha (IND) 748 9. Stuart Broad (ENG) 745 10. Trent Boult (NZL) 729 ICC Rankings - Top 10 Test Batsmen as of 24/12/2013 1. A.B. de Villiers (RSA) 906 2. Hashim Amla (RSA) 881 3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) 876 4. Ross Taylor (NZL) 871 5. Michael Clarke (AUS) 868 6. Kumar Sangakkara (SRI) 866 7. Cheteshwar Pujara (IND) 838 8. Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) 783 9. Graeme Smith (RSA) 775 10. Younus Khan (PAK) 769