Kulasekara climbs to No. 1 in ODI bowler rankings

Nuwan Kulasekara, the Sri Lanka medium-pacer, has moved to the top of the ICC ODI bowler rankings, ahead of Australia's Nathan Bracken and New Zealand's Kyle Mills.

Kulasekara has risen steadily up the rankings during the past 12 months after an impressive run of performances since his return to the team in April 2008. In that period, he has taken 47 wickets at 20.97 in 29 matches, with a strike-rate of 28.00 and an economy rate of 4.45.

"It was great to hear about the ranking, as I have worked really hard this year, but I am just 26, I know I still have plenty to learn and I am determined to become a much better bowler," said Kulasekara.

Kulasekera also impressed with the bat at No. 8 for Sri Lanka, averaging 20.36 during the past 12 months. "I am working really hard on my batting as we need to have consistent contributions from the lower order," he said. "My immediate target is pushing my ODI average over 25 by giving the team consistent runs."

"Nuwan full deserves his No. 1 ranking after an outstanding year for us," said Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara. "Since cementing his place in the side he has been extremely consistent and reliable for us, taking wickets with the new ball and keeping things tight."

Daniel Vettori, who previously occupied the top spot, has fallen to No. 5 after taking just two wickets at 53.50 in four ODIs against India. His team-mate Kyle Mills, who broke in to the top five in the bowler rankings after taking six wickets at 10.83 against Bangladesh last year, occupies the third spot behind Bracken. Mills took four wickets at 57.25 against India.

Bracken was voted Australia's ODI Player of the Year this year after taking 22 wickets at 24.50, with an economy rate of 4.09, from 16 games during the voting period. Jerome Taylor breaks into the top ten, displacing Australia's Mitchell Johnson.