Lara returns to the top

Brian Lara has stepped back into familiar territory with his return to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. Lara, who scored 176 and 13 in the third Test against South Africa, jumped two spots to move ahead of Jacques Kallis, and he sits at No. 1 for the first time since May 2004.

Kallis, who chipped in with 78 at Bridgetown, is four points behind Lara's 886 while Rahul Dravid was also pushed down a spot to third. Lara's brilliant return after the sponsorship row also included 196 in the second Test and he has another chance to extend his lead in the fourth Test starting on Friday. AB de Villiers moved to a career-high 25th place after his 178 in the series-sealing victory.

In another first, Andre Nel forced his way into the top 10, leaping 12 spots to No. 8. Nel claimed a personal best 10 for 88, including 6 for 32 in the second innings, and picked up Lara in both innings. Glenn McGrath comfortably holds the top spot while Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, was squeezed down a place to 11th.

Rank	Batsman	Points
1	Lara	886
2	Kallis	882
3	Dravid	872
4	Ponting	863
5	Sehwag	848
6	Martyn	836
7	Gilchrist	819
8	Inzamam	794
9	Younis	857
10	Strauss	751

Rank	Bowler	Points
1	McGrath	897
2	Muralitharan	834
3	Pollock	812
4	Ntini	801
5	Akhtar	786
6	Warne	771
7	Kumble	766
8	Nel	759
9	Gillespie	739
10	Harmison	717