/ 7 April 2008

Steyn joins Murali at top of bowling rankings

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn has risen to joint number one in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for Test bowlers, alongside Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Steyn (24) joined Muralitharan, who holds the record for most Test wickets, after claiming eight to bowl the tourists to an innings victory in the second Test against India on Saturday for a 1-0 series lead, the ICC said on Monday.

Steyn has taken 66 wickets in the last nine Tests, and 12 in the current series, which ends with the final Test starting in Kanpur on Friday. Having claimed 117 wickets in 22 Tests at a superb average of 21,41, he is in the reckoning for his fourth straight man-of-the series award.

Australian batsman Mike Hussey replaced Sri Lankan ‘keeper Kumar Sangakkara as the top-ranked Test batsman.

Sangakkara slipped to fourth, behind Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis. — Reuters