Chanderpaul breaks into top five

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's man-of-the-match performance against Australia in the second Test in Antigua has propelled him into the world's top five batsman for the first time.

The West Indies left-hander moved up two places to fifth in the ICC Player Rankings following his century in the first innings and unbeaten 77 in the second innings as he led his team to a draw against the touring Australians.

Chanderpaul is now level with South Africa's Jacques Kallis, just three ratings points behind Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf and also within striking distance of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara in third spot.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting still holds down second place while team-mate Michael Hussey remains at the top of the rankings.

Chanderpaul, 33, has been in career-best form over the past 12 months, plundering 1062 runs at a Bradman-esque average of 106.20 in nine Tests, including five centuries.

Those scores came on away tours to England and South Africa as well as the current home series against Australia.

Windies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan narrowly missed a return to the top 20 after his fifth-day heroics at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Sarwan scored 65 in the first innings and then 128 in the second to make sure the match was saved.

As a result, the 27-year-old from Guyana gained four places to 21st in the batting rankings but could break into the top 20 with another good performance in the third and final Test of the series in Barbados.

Other batsmen to make progress up the rankings include Simon Katich (up 12 places to 56th spot) and Phil Jaques (up three to 34th).

There was little movement in the bowling rankings aside from West Indies paceman Jerome Taylor, who rocketed up 12 places into 14th spot following his five wickets during the second Test.

In-form fast bowler Brett Lee strengthened his position in fourth position. The 31-year-old New South Welshman took personal-best match figures of 8-110 in Antigua and is closing the gap on team-mate Stuart Clark, who is currently occupying third spot.

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralidaran is still in first position with South Africa's Dale Steyn just behind him in second place.

The all-rounders' list is still headed by Kallis, who is way out in front of Black Caps' captain Daniel Vettori and England's Andrew Flintoff.