Cricket

New ICC Test rankings released

Michael Hussey’s first Test century in India in the first Test at Bangalore has propelled the Australian left-hander to the No. 1 spot in Test rankings for batsmen. The Australian left-hander, who possesses a Bradmanesque average of 69.50, dislodged Sri Lankan vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara and West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul by amassing 177 runs in the match.

Aussie captain Ricky Ponting stays in fourth spot in the rankings despite scoring his maiden Test century in India. Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Rahul Dravid all slipped two places. Hayden now lies in ninth spot with Clarke further back in 15th position and Dravid managing to stay in the top 20 in 18th. VVS Laxman gains one place to 14th position but Virender Sehwag falls back one spot to 11th and Sachin Tendulkar drops back another place to 24th.

Man of the match Zaheer Khan who has gained seven places. The 30-year-old took six wickets in the match, including 5-96 in the first innings. He now sits in 11th spot in the rankings.

India captain Anil Kumble’s wicketless showing in the first Test lost him eight places in the bowling rankings, plummeting from 10th position to 18th. Ishant Sharma also gained a place on the rankings for each of the seven wickets he took in the match.

Tags: Australia, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, ICC Test Rankings, India, michael hussey