Chanderpaul slowly heading back to top spot

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Veteran West Indies left-hander is steadily continuing to make his way back to the top of world cricket.
Yesterday, the 37-year-old jumped another three spots to move to fifth in the latest International Cricket Council Test player rankings.

His rise comes on the heels of his unbeaten 103 in the opening Test against Australia at Kensington Oval. It was his 25th Test century, surpassing legendary captain Sir Vivian Richards (24) and moving to within one of the incomparable Sir Garry Sobers.

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Shivnarine Chanderpaul

handerpaul is now also just 188 runs away from becoming the second West Indies batsman to reach 10 000 Test runs, behind the outstanding Brian Lara who finished with 11 953 runs.

Meanwhile, the left-handed Darren Bravo Darren Bravo, who scored 51 in the first innings and 32 in the second, has remained 21st in the rankings despite reaching a career-best ratings points of 695.

At the top, Australia captain Michael Clarke fell two places to allow South African AB de Villiers to take sole possession of the number one spot.
In the bowling rankings, captain and medium pacer Darren Sammy has jumped four places to 22nd, to become the highest ranked West Indies bowler after taking three wickets in consistent spells in the last Test.
South African speedster Dale Steyn leads an unchanged top five.

Latest ICC Test player rankings

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Latest International Cricket Council Test player rankings released yesterday.

BATSMEN:
1 AB de Villiers (SA) 821
2 Jacques Kallis (SA) 819
3 Michael Clarke (AUS) 809
4 Younus Khan (PAK) 797
5 Shiv Chanderpaul (WI) 785
6 Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 779
7 Alastair Cook (ENG) 777
8 Thilan Samaraweera (SL) 772
9 Hashim Amla (SA) 763
10 Ross Taylor (NZ) 761
21 Darren Bravo (WI) 695

BOWLING:
1 Dale Steyn (SA) 886
2 Saeed Ajmal (PAK) 835
3 James Anderson (ENG) 798
4 Graeme Swann (ENG) 779
5 Rangana Herath (SL) 769
6 Vernon Philander (SA) 764
7 Peter Siddle  (AUS) 755
8 Ben Hilfenhaus (AUS) 751
9 Stuart Broad (ENG) 749
10 Abdur Rehman (PAK) 739
22 Darren Sammy (WI) 568
26 Fidel Edwards (WI) 546