Atherton Moves Up Coopers & Lybrand Ratings (28 Dec 1995)

Electronic Telegraph Thursday 28 December 1995

Atherton moves up world ratings

MIKE ATHERTON has moved up to eighth in the Coopers & Lybrand world computer ratings, replacing Graeme Hick as England`s bestplaced batsman after his match-saving 185 not out in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg, writes Charles Randall.

He would have risen higher if he had not failed in his only innings of the recent rain-ruined Test that followed at Durban.

One place below Atherton, Brian McMillan reached Christmas in ninth place, a remarkable achievement for a batsman at No 7 in the order.

Dominic Cork, at 18th, is England`s highest bowler, confirming what Ray Illingworth already knows - there is a crisis in this department.

RATINGS (Dec 21).- Batting: 1, S R Waugh (Australia) 893pts; 2, B C Lara (W Indies) 888; 3, Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) 825; 4, M E Waugh (Australia) 795; 5, J C Adams (W Indies) 781; 6, M A Taylor (Australia) 758; 7, M J Slater (Australia) 756; 8, M A Atherton (England) 743; 9, B M McMillan (S Africa) 738; 10, S R Tendulkar (India) 737. Other England: 11, G A Hick 724; 13, G P Thorpe 694; 18, R A Smith 635; 22, A J Stewart 605.

Bowling: 1, S J Warne (Australia) 879; 2, C E L Ambrose (W Indies) 862; 3, A Kumble (India) 829; 4, Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 805; 5, P S de Villiers (S Africa) 782; 6, I R Bishop (W Indies) 781; 7, A A Donald (S Africa) 753; 8, H H Streak (Zimbabwe) 745; 9, W P U J C Vaas (Sri Lanka) 739; =10, C A Walsh (W Indies), K C G Benjamin (W Indies) 725. England: 18, D G Cork 644; 20, A R C Fraser 598; 25, D E Malcolm 511; 28, P A J DeFreitas 490.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http: www.telegraph.co.uk)