LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: England bowler James Anderson celebrates the wicket of Murali Vijay, his 100th Test wicket at Lords during day 4 of the Second Test Match between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 12, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

England's James Anderson has claimed the number one spot in the ICC's test bowler rankings, beating out Australian captain Pat Cummins.

Cummins held the number one ranking for four years, but has slipped to third behind Anderson and Ravi Ashwin, marking Anderson's sixth time atop the rankings throughout his illustrious career.

With his ascension to the top spot, Anderson becomes the oldest no.1 since Australian Clarrie Grimmett 1936, with the Englishman set to celebrate his 41st birthday this year.

Anderson, who made his Test debut in 2003, has taken 682 Test wickets across his career, including a 7/54 effort in England's win over New Zealand last week.

Ashwin meanwhile, moves to the second spot on the rankings, having claimed 14 wickets in the two previous Test matches against Australia. The 36-year-old has made 89 Test appearances for India, taking 463 wickets throughout his career. Jasprit Bumrah (5th) and Ravindra Jadeja (9th) join their countryman on the list.

While Ashwin continues to impress, Australian captain Cummins has returned home from India due to personal reasons, but is expected to travel back to the subcontinent in time for the final two Test matches in Indore and Ahmedabad.

Fellow Australian Mitchell Starc also appears, ranked at no.10. The 33-year-old hasn't featured in Australia's tour of India thus far as he continues to recover from a finger injury.