DUBAI, Jan 29: Australia pace spearhead Brett Lee has achieved the highest rating of his career to date in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers following the series against India, and now holds the fourth spot, fast nearing the bowlers ahead of him.

Lee, who received the man-of-the-series accolade in the recent India rubber, played a big role in securing a 2-1 win for Australia, with 24 wickets. That effort has continued his rise and he now sits on 795 ratings points, poised to become the fourth bowler in the world currently beyond the magical 800-point mark.

It is all part of a steady progress for the 31-year-old New South Welshman over the past year or so. He is ahead of South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini and now has Dale Steyn, Ntini’s team-mate, and compatriot Stuart Clark in sight. It is interesting to note that 12 months ago Lee was 15th.

However, Lee still has a long way to go before he catches Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, whose remarkable run at the top continues.

In the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, Michael Clarke of Australia and India’s Sachin Tendulkar have both gained one place in the top 20 and now sit on 11th and 12th positions, respectively.

The batting rankings are still headed by Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka, ahead of South Africa’s Jacques Kallis in the second place and Michael Hussey of Australia in third.

India captain Anil Kumble has progressed four places up the ICC Test rankings for all-rounders and is now seventh, enjoying the highest rating of his career to date.

Kallis still heads the rankings, followed by Andrew Flintoff of England and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.—Agencies