Clarke reclaims top spot in ICC Test rankings

London: Australia captain Michael Clarke has strengthened his position as number one in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings after he moved nine points clear of second-placed Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Clarke`s knocks of 74 and 57 in the Hobart Test against Sri Lanka, won by Australia by 137 runs, played a part in helping him reach the top, according to an ICC statement. Other big gainers were Australia`s Mike Hussey, England`s Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, Sri Lanka`s Tillakaratne Dilshan and India`s Virat Kohli, News.com.au reports. The bowler`s table was still headed by South Africa`s Dale Steyn while Sri Lanka`s spinner Rangana Herath dropped two places to fourth whereas Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle, who was the player of the match at Hobart for his spells of five for 54 and four for 50, was at fifth place with a best-ever 806 ratings points. Also moving up are England`s paceman James Anderson in sixth (up by one), India`s spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in 20th (up by two), Nathan Lyon in 28th (up by two), Ishant Sharma in 32nd (up by one) and Chanaka Welegedara in 34th (up by five). ANI