ICC Cricket

Though the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul has remained at No. 7 in the batting rankings, he has closed the gap on Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden, following his 18th Test century against Australia in the first Digicel Test at Sabina Park last weekend.

The left-hander, who scored 118 in the Windies’ 95-run loss, has also increased his lead on the No. 8 ranked batsman, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene.If Chanderpaul sustains his current form in the second Test, he could surpass Hayden who is still doubtful for that encounter starting tomorrow here in Antigua.

Pacer Fidel Edwards, who enjoyed a fine Test taking eight wickets, has moved into the top 30 of the bowlers rankings, jumping six places to No. 30.

Medium pacer Dwayne Bravo has not moved from 33rd spot, but has narrowed the gap on his close rivals, following his five-wicket match haul. He is now only one point behind Sri Lanka’s Dilhara Fernando at No. 32 and New Zealand’s Jacob Oram, at No. 31.

Bravo has also broken into the top five of the Test all-rounders rankings, replacing Oram.The biggest mover in the rankings was Australian Andrew Symonds whose two half-centuries against the Windies saw him move eight places up the batting rankings to No. 12.Team-mate Mike Hussey continues to lead the batting tables with his captain Ricky Ponting in tow.