Symonds soars up rankings
28/05/2008 9:55 AM
Andrew Symonds has rocketed up the rankings on the back of his critical 79 in Australia's second innings against West Indies in Kingston.
Symonds is up eight places in the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, moving into 12th place on the list.
He also scored 80 in the first innings, but the fighting knock in the second dig was heavily weighted in the points system.
Mike Hussey remains at the head of the ratings. Skipper Ricky Ponting moved into second after closing the gap with his magnificent 158 at Sabina Park on the opening day.
Matthew Hayden, who is in line to be brought back into the Australian side after missing the 95-run win with a hamstring injury, is sixth.
Michael Clarke, another absentee in the gritty victory, is next best of the Australians in 11th spot which means Australia has five of the world's best 12 batsmen.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (No.7) is the only West Indian in the top 20.
Muttiah Muralidaran is top of the charts for the bowlers with South African paceman Dale Steyn hot on his heels.
The big mover among the wicket-takers is Australian quick Stuart Clark.
Clark, man of the match against West Indies, claimed 5-32 in the second innings to put space between him and team-mate Brett Lee in the No.3 and No.4 positions.
The accurate paceman could overtake Steyn and be No.2 in the world before the end of the current tour.
Lee and Clark are the only Australians in the top 20.