Edwards jumps to career-best 16th following series haul

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Fidel Edwards’ 19 wickets in the just concluded series against India has seen him jump two places to a career-best 16th in the International Cricket Council bowler rankings.

He was the leading bowler for West Indies in the three-match series which the hosts lost 1-0, following a 63-run defeat in the first Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica last month. The achievement caps a dream return to international cricket for the 29-year-old pacer who was ruled out since 2009 with a back injury that required surgery.

Fidel Edward

Edwards only returned to competitive cricket this year for Barbados in the Regional First Class Championship and the Sabina Park Test marked his first international game in two years. He bowled with his customary pace and hostility against the Indians and snared his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests in the drawn last match in Dominica.

Captain and medium pacer Darren Sammy, who finished the series with seven wickets, moved up one place to 29th.

In the batting, Shiv Chanderpaul’s 23rd Test century has resulted in his jumping three places to seventh spot in the rankings.

The veteran left-hander struck an unbeaten 116 in the second innings of the third Test on Sunday, to help the Windies seal a draw at Windsor Park. Debutant Kirk Edwards, who also hit 110 in the innings, has entered the rankings at number 60.

There has been no change, however, at the top of the batting or bowling rankings with South Africans Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn unmoved.