Lara back on top of the World
LONDON: West Indies batting star Brian Lara has regained the number one position and his captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul surged into the top-ten in the LG International Cricket Council (ICC) world rankings this week after their pivotal performances in the Kensington Oval Test match against Pakistan. Lara scored a magnificent 130 in the first innings and a breezy second innings knock of 48, while the trustworthy Chanderpaul solidly stroked 92 and 153 not out that gave West Indies a handsome 276-run victory over Pakistan — inside four days — on Sunday. The 36-year-old Lara climbed from the number two spot to displace South African Jacques Kallis as the number one batsman in the world. The world’s top five remained otherwise unchanged with India’s Rahul Dravid at three, followed by Australian Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag, of India. Chanderpaul, in his first season as West Indies captain, jumped five places up from 13 to number eight on the world list. The only other West Indies player in the world batting top-25 is the left-handed opener Chris Gayle, who is 23rd. The highest rated West Indian on the bowlers’ list is Pedro Collins at 20th. Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath kept the top spot ahead of Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. South Africa Shaun Pollock is third and his pace partner Makhaya Ntini is up one place to fourth. WORLD RANKINGS: 1 Brian Lara (WI) 2 Jacques Kallis (SA) 3 Rahul Dravid (IND) 4 Ricky Ponting (AUS) 5 Virender Sehwag (IND) 6 Damien Martyn (AUS) 7 Adam Gilchrist (AUS) 8 Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) 9 Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) 10 Graeme Smith (SA) 23rd Chris Gayle (WI)
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"Lara back on top of the World"