Chanderpaul replaced by Sangakkara as world's top batsman

Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara has knocked veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul off the top of the International Cricket Council's Test batting rankings.

Sri Lankan Sangakkara [left] replaces West Indian Chanderpaul [right] at top batting ranking

In the latest rankings released on Thursday, Sangakkara had crept ahead of Chanderpaul to move to 892 ratings points.

Chanderpaul is 36 points adrift in second, with South African AB de Villiers in third on 821 points.

Selected positions from the latest International Cricket Council Test player rankings released on Thursday:

Batting

1 Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 892

2 Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) 856

3 AB de Villiers (SA) 821

4 Jacques Kallis (SA) 819

5 Younus Khan (PAK) 796

6 Michael Clarke (AUS) 771

7 Hashim Amla (SA) 763

8 Ross Taylor (NZ) 761

9 Alastair Cook (ENG) 756

10 Graeme Smith (SA) 753

Bowling

1 Dale Steyn (SA) 886

2 Saeed Ajmal (PAK) 813

3 James Anderson (ENG) 785

4 Rangana Herath (SL) 765

5 Vernon Philander (SA) 764

6 Stuart Broad (ENG) 758

7 Ben Hilfenhaus (AUS) 756

8 Graeme Swann (ENG) 742

9 Peter Siddle (AUS) 740

10 Morne Morkel (SA) 733

16 Kemar Roach (WI) 620


Via Trinidad Express Newspapers

Distracting Saeed Ajmal from his dreadful bowling

Pakistan's former cricketers have reacted sharply to reports that the Indian team had questioned Saeed Ajmal's bowling action, saying it is a ploy to "upset" the offspinner's rhythm.

Former captain, Javed Miandad said he saw the reports about Ajmal's action as nothing but a ploy to upset the spinner.

Getty Images

"It is simple and pure, they want to upset him and distract him. Because he is troubling their batsmen and he has now got (Sachin) Tendulkar out twice, in the World Cup and last night," Miandad said.

Ajmal's action generated a fresh controversy today after senior Indian players reportedly questioned the legality of his deliveries even as the ICC (International Cricket Council) defended the bowler, saying his action was well within the allowed degree of tolerance. 

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