McGrath returns to the top

Published December 20, 2001

LONDON, Dec 19: Glenn McGrath has returned to the top of the world bowling ratings after claiming six wickets in Australia’s victory over South Africa in the first Test.

McGrath replaces South Africa captain Shaun Pollock, who managed only one Australian wicket, while Man-of-the-Match Shane Warne has climbed five places to seventh.

Following India’s draw with England in Ahmedabad, Anil Kumble returns to the top 10 in 10th place.

Australia batsman Damien Martyn, who hit 124 not out in the first innings against South Africa, has reached a career-best 11th in the batting ratings.

Matthew Hayden, 131 in the second innings, also reached a personal high in 12th spot.

All seven of the Australian batting order are now in the top 20 in the ratings.

Top 10 batsmen

Player Points Average

B.C. Lara 905 50.49

A. Flower 898 56.60

S.R. Tendulkar 874 57.70

Inzamam-ul-Haq 818 47.73

D.P.M. Jayawardena 818 48.35

J.H. Kallis 789 48.16

S.R. Waugh 783 50.72

A.C. Gilchrist 765 50.71

R.S. Dravid 759 52.50

H.H. Gibbs 730 41.26

Top 10 bowlers

G.D. McGrath 909 21.82

S.M. Pollock 903 20.46

M. Muralitharan 881 24.63

A.A. Donald 777 21.64

D. Gough 731 27.57

W.P.U.J.C. Vaas 715 28.51

S.K. Warne 710 26.57

J.N. Gillespie 704 25.37

Waqar Younis 686 23.02

A.R. Kumble 685 27.90

—Reuters