Ponting soars to the top
Ricky Ponting has plenty to smile about after Australia's 2-0 Test series win over South Africa enforced their dominance atop the updated International Cricket Council (ICC) Test championship table remains head and shoulders above the rest
Cricinfo staff
07-Jan-2006
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Ponting's 120 and 143 not-out in Australia's eight-wicket win at Sydney - his 100th Test - lifted him to 922 points in the rankings, a feat achieved only by cricket's legends. To put that into context, only Matthew Hayden - with 935 points in 2002 after twin hundreds of his own - has achieved a higher rating than Ponting, among current Test batsmen.
Following a dismal Ashes performance this past summer, Australia will be boosted significantly by the fact that they have gained a 14-point lead in the Test championship table. Australia began the home summer season with a lead of just eight points over rivals England, but five wins and a draw in six matches against West Indies and South Africa, together with England's 2-0 series loss in Pakistan, dispelled fears of being overtaken. India, following their recent series win over Sri Lanka, are in second place.
For South Africa, Jacques Kallis's scores of 111 and 50 not out lifted him back up three places to second in the batting list. Hayden slipped down three spots to fifth, despite 90 in Australia's successful run-chase on Friday. Glenn McGrath regained top spot from Shane Warne in the bowling rankings with Warne slipping to third position, also behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.
For the complete rankings click here