DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Fast bowler Kemar Roach has achieved a career-best ranking while mystery spinner Sunil Narine was the biggest mover among several West Indies players climbing the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, according to the latest figures released yesterday. Roach’s match figures of seven for 115 against New Zealand in the first Test in Antigua, has helped him vault six places to 10th. His overall rating of 707 is a career best. Narine’s match haul of eight for 223 in West Indies’ nine-wicket victory earned him a jump of 72 places, which has put him in 71st position.
Pacer Ravi Rampaul and middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine also moved up the rankings while opener Chris Gayle made an impressive return. Rampaul has moved up a place to 39th after picking up two wickets for 52 runs against New Zealand on Sunday.
Gayle, who was playing his first Test since April 2011, re-entered the rankings in 21st position following his knocks of 150 and 64 not out. The other West Indies centurion in the Antigua Test, Kieran Powell, has also been rewarded with a jump of 27 places. He now sits in 65th position while Deonarine moved up 12 places and is now 63rd spot.
The Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers is still headed by South Africa’s Dale Steyn while Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara remains the top-ranked batsman.
The latest Reliance ICC Test Rankings were released yesterday following the first Test between West Indies and New Zealand in Antigua.