Sangakkara replaces De Villiers at top of rankings
Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara has replaced South Africa's AB de Villiers at the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings for Test batsmen.
Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara has replaced South Africa's AB de Villiers at the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings for Test batsmen.
Sangakkara's promotion has come on the back of a fine double century in a seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan in last week's series opener in Galle. De Villiers, meanwhile, perished for a mere seven in the ongoing one-off fixture against Zimbabwe in Harare.
This is the third time the stalwart left-hander has clinched the number one berth, having leapfrogged Australians Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in December 2007 and November 2012 respectively.
He has, in total, spent 81 matches as the top-ranked Test batsman. West Indians Garry Sobers and Viv Richards held the coveted position for 189 and 179 fixtures respectively.
Spinner Rangana Herath, meanwhile, has moved into the top five of the ICC's rankings for Test bowlers on the back of nine wickets in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium. Fellow slow bowler Dilruwan Perera has climbed five positions to 24 after enjoying seven wickets in the same match.
The second and final Test will get underway at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Thursday. Three ODIs will follow.
Latest
-
NewsJames Anderson: England ‘chomping at the bit’ to start first Test in Pakistan
The 40-year-old is the only member of the England squad to have toured the country before.
-
IndiaKisma News: India need more pace, bowling all-rounders
The Indian cricket team is amidst a rebuild of sorts after a disappointing T20 World Cup. The focus is to bring new talent into the team…
-
NewsBrendon McCullum has no issues with Liam Livingstone’s lack of red-ball cricket
Livingstone has built his name as a prolific limited-overs performer.
-
NewsBrendon McCullum vows England will continue to entertain in Pakistan
England won six out of seven Tests playing an attacking brand of cricket over the summer.
-
IndiaKisma News: India’s decision to persist with Rishabh Pant is admirable, but his failures are mounting
Rishabh Pant’s form in white-ball cricket has been the subject of intense scrutiny – and with good reason too…
-
NewsOn this day in 2012: Ashley Giles appointed England limited-overs head coach
Giles’ tenure in the role only lasted 18 months.
-
NewsBoost for aspiring black cricketers as ACE scheme launches in northern England
The programme is a partnership between Yorkshire, the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club and African Caribbean Engagement (ACE).
-
NewsEngland arrive in Pakistan for first Test tour since 2005
Only James Anderson was there when England last played Tests and one-day internationals in Pakistan.
-
IndiaKisma News: Hardik Pandya’s reasoning for excluding Umran Malik and Sanju Samson
Going into the T20I series against New Zealand, most Indian fans expected bench players would be given more significant opportunities…
-
NewsJofra Archer determined to keep playing Test cricket for England
After an 18-month injury nightmare, the fast bowler is two days into his comeback match in Abu Dhabi.