Sammy delighted with top-five Test ranking

Darren Sammy, the West Indies Test captain, has expressed delight at seeing West Indies reach the top-five in Test rankings for the first time since August 2000. West Indies, who have won their previous six Tests, currently sit on 99 points, with Australia just ahead on 101, and Pakistan lagging slightly behind on 97.

This ranking came about largely because of the drawn series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe that concluded yesterday with Zimbabwe's first Test victory against major opposition in 12 years. Before the series, Pakistan were ranked No. 4.

"One of our goals has always been to be in the top five by 2015," Sammy said. "As a Test team, we have worked really hard in the last three years and to achieve that goal two years early is a plus for us.

"We now have to continue working harder in order for us to keep moving forward. Massive praise must go to our head coach Ottis Gibson and his staff for creating the atmosphere where we as players can go out and work hard for each other and our fans in the Caribbean and everywhere else.

"This is a massive step in the right direction and we will continue to strive for excellence for the cause of putting West Indies cricket back on top of World cricket. The journey continues."

West Indies' next assignment is a tour of India beginning on October 31, which will consist of two Tests and three ODIs. Following that, West Indies will travel to New Zealand for three Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is.

The last time a Caribbean side toured New Zealand was in 2008-09, when they drew the Test series 0-0.