Kambli Ahead Of Tendulkar In Wisden Ratings (1 Jul 1996)

1 July 1996

Kambli remains ahead of Tendulkar in Wisden ratings

By A Correspondent

Vinod Kambli is languishing in the minor leagues in England, while old school chum Sachin Tendulkar recently reinforced his claim to batting excellence with a standout century at Edgbaston in the second Test against England.

But surprise, surprise - the latest Wisden world rankings still have Kambli, at number three, ahead of Tendulkar who comes one place below him in the rankings.

In fact, this month has not seen any change in the batting top ten, which continues to be headed by West Indians Jimmy Adams (average 66.11) and Brian Lara (60.32). Kambli comes in next with an average of 54.20, while Tendulkar, whose ninth Test century marginally upped his average by 0.85, comes in at number four with an average of 52.58.

Interestingly, Mohammad Azharuddin retains his number nine ranking with an average of 46.10. However, in the light of his failure in the second Test at Lord`s (which will be taken into account when Wisden computers its rankings for the next month), if compounded in the third Test beginning at Trent Bridge on July 4, could see him dropping out of the top ten for the first time in four years.

The only change in the top twenty, in fact, comes right at the bottom of the order, where England skipper Michael Atherton moves up one place from his previous number 19. And Saeed Anwar, who just the other day cracked a brilliant 200-plus against Glamorgan, moves down one place from the number 18 slot that he previously occupied.

The relatively static rankings owe more to the fact that besides England and India, none of the other Test playing nations are involved in international cricketing action as of now. The situation will change, however, later this month when Pakistan begin their three-Test series against England. Pakistan has four players in the Wisden top 20 - Inzamam ul Haq at number 11, Salim Malik one place below at number 12, Shoaib Mohammad at number 13 and Saeed Anwar at number 19. While Shoaib is not touring England this time, the other three players have already given indications that they are in top form. Thus, good performances from them will see the Pakistan batting stars overtake the likes of Australian skipper Mark Taylor (number 10), Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin (9), Australians Michael Slater (8) and Steve Waugh (5), New Zealanders David Houghton (7) and Andy Flower (6), none of whom are involved in cricketing action in the immediate future.

In the bowling department, the most dramatic surge has been registered by England`s Dominic Cork, whose 6 for 101 at Edgbaston rocketed him from number 12 to number eight in the world rankings. The top seven positions, ahead of Cork, remained unchanged however with Waqar Younis heading the parade followed by Curtley Ambrose, Heath Streak, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas and Shane Warne.

Equally dramatic has been the eclipse of Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble, whose undistinguished figures of one for 84 at Edgbaston and his generally poor form of late has seen him drop down three places, from number eight to number 11. Interestingly, Venkatapathy Raju and Narendra Hirwani, both of whom are yet to get a look-in in the Indian Test side in England, remain in the top 20 at numbers 16 and 20 respectively, while Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, whose brilliant bowling has been the feature of the first two Tests, remain outside the elite list thanks to the fact that Wisden does not consider any bowler who does not have more than 40 Test wickets to his credit.

The batting top 20, in descending order (minimum qualification - 1000 Test runs) reads thus: Jimmy Adams, Brian Lara, Vinod Kambli, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh, Andy Flower, David Houghton, Michael Slater, Mohammad Azharuddin, Mark Taylor, Inzamam ul Haq, Salim Malik, Shoaib Mohammad, Andrew Jones, Mark Waugh, Robin Smith, Brian McMillan, Mike Atherton, Saeed Anwar and Graham Thorpe.

The top 20 bowlers (minimum qualification - 40 Test wickets) read, in descending order: Waqar Younis, Curtley Ambrose, Heath Streak, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas, Shane Warne, Dominic Cork, Fanie de Villiers, Allan Donald, Anil Kumble, Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath, Winston Benjamin, Paul Reiffel, Venkatapathy Raju, Kenny Benjamin, Craig McDermott, Craig Mathews and Narendra Hirwani.

Source :: Rediff On The NeT (http.//www.rediff.co.in)