Michael Bevan ranked best ODI batsman in the world

Michael Bevan of Australia has claimed the top spot among ODI batsmen, in the latest Pricewaterhouse Coopers cricket rankings. An average of 102.2 so far this year sees him taking over the top slot from Sachin Tendulkar.

An interesting addition to the top ten is New Zealand's Nathan Astle, who comes in at number seven. Adam Gilchrist, meanwhile, jumped up into the number five slot, one place ahead of Mark Waugh.

South Africa's Shaun Pollock, meanwhile, displaces Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan as the number one bowler. Shane Warne, interestingly, is in the 8th spot, two places ahead of Australian spearhead Glenn McGrath.

The top ten rankings for batsmen read (figures in brackets indicate movement up or down in the list, from the previous rankings): 1. (+2) Michael Bevan (Aus) , 2. (-1) Sachin Tendulkar (Ind) , 3. (-1) Brian Lara (WI), 4. (+1) Hansie Cronje (SA), 5. (+15) Adam Gilchrist (Aus), 6. (+2) Mark Waugh (Aus) , 7. (+1) Nathan Astle (NZ), 8. (+2) Jacques Kallis (SA), 9. (+30) Lance Klusener (SA), 10. (-3) Saeed Anwar (Pak)

Top ten bowlers: 1. (+5) Shaun Pollock (SA), 2. (-1) Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak), 3. (+15) Azhar Mahmood (Pak), 4. (-2) Allan Donald (SA), 5. (+2) Anil Kumble (Ind) , 6. (-) Darren Gough (Eng), 7. (-3) M. Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), 8. (+8) Shane Warne (Aus), 9. (-6) Curtly Ambrose (WI), 10. (+12) Glenn McGrath (Aus)

Agencies