Sangakkara reclaims top spot in Test ratings

Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, ending Sachin Tendulkar's short-lived stay at the head of the table.

Sangakkara's performance in the first two Tests of the ongoing series against West Indies coincided with Tendulkar's modest returns against New Zealand, leading to a swap at the top. Sangakkara has so far scored 228 runs in the West Indies series, taking him to 882 rating points, 23 clear of Tendulkar who could manage only one half-century in four innings against New Zealand. Virender Sehwag is in the third place, nine points behind Tendulkar, while Jacques Kallis is fourth, with 806.

South Africa's AB de Villiers and England's Jonathan Trott have broken into the top ten for the first time, following strong performances against Pakistan and Australia respectively. de Villiers amassed an unbeaten 278 in Abu Dhabi, the highest Test score by a South Africa batsman, propelling him to fifth. Trott's unbeaten 135 was a part of England's strong second-innings resistance in the Ashes-opener, helping his side earn a creditable draw, and lifting him to the eighth spot.

On the bowling front, India's fast-bowling spearhead, Zaheer Khan, surged to third in the Test ratings, his highest classification to date. South Africa seamer Dale Steyn and England offspinner Graeme Swann retained the top two positions. Australia's Peter Siddle, who picked up six wickets on the first day at the Gabba, including a hat-trick, rose to the 14th spot, while England seamer Steven Finn moved up to 19th on the back of his six-for.