Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla moved up the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings on Monday after outstanding performances in the drawn match against India in Chennai.
McKenzie, who made 94 and 155 not out, made his first appearance in the top 40 in four years and is ranked 36th in the world, while Amla’s 159 and 81 saw him shoot up 10 places to a career-best 24th position.
However, Jacques Kallis dropped down to number four, behind Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka, Michael Hussey of Australia, and Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Graeme Smith dropped two positions to number 16.
Virender Sehwag, who scored the fastest triple century in Test history, shot up 13 places to 12th spot, becoming the highest-ranking Indian batsman. Rahul Dravid moved up two places to number 13, while Sachin Tendulkar dropped back three places to 15th, after making a rare duck.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn remained in second position in the bowling rankings, behind Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, while Makhaya Ntini retained his position in fifth place.
Kallis remained the world’s top-ranking all-rounder, ahead of Daniel Vettori of New Zealand and Andrew Flintoff of England — Sapa