Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara has risen to a career-high third position in
the latest LG ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen after hitting an unbeaten 200
against Bangladesh.
The stylish left-hander, playing as a batting specialist after starting as a wicketkeeper-batsman,
scored his fifth double hundred, which lifted him above Australia's Michael Hussey
and Kevin Pietersen of England.
Now only Mohammad Yousuf of Pakistan and Australia captain
Ricky Ponting are ahead of him in the list.
Sangakkara already has the highest-ever rating by a Sri Lanka
batsman in Test cricket, something supported by his average of 52.17 from 66
matches. No Sri Lanka batsman to have played 10 or more Tests has a better average
than that.
Sangakkara's rise is the most notable feat inside the top 20
batting and bowling places but outside those select groups, Bangladesh captain
Mohammed Ashraful has climbed to a career-high listing.
The dashing right-hander scored a defiant unbeaten 129 spread
over more than five hours to delay Sri Lanka's victory celebrations, which propelled
him up 15 spots to 45th.
Star spinner Muttiah Muralidaran - who took five wickets
- has been unable to extend his lead at the top of the LG ICC Player Rankings
for Test bowlers but he remains well clear of South Africa fast bowler Makhaya
Ntini.
Third-placed Anil Kumble of India is some distance
behind these two but the leg-spinner can close the gap with some good performances
in the upcoming Test series against England.
Chaminda Vaas, who has been released to return to county cricket ahead
of the final match of the series, consolidated his fifth place in the all-rounders'
list, headed by Jacques Kallis of South Africa.
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