DUBAI – Young West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite has jumped 11 places in the International Cricket Council batting rankings, and into the top 40 for the first time in his career.
The 22-year-old is now ranked 37th in the world, alongside West Indies teammate Marlon Samuels, who also moved up seven spots in the latest rankings released on Wednesday.
Their upward movement comes after both batsmen struck hundreds in the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, which finished in a draw on Tuesday.
Brathwaite hit 106, his third Test century, while Samuels fashioned a bold 101, his sixth Test hundred. The pair put on a record 176 for the third wicket.
However, veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul slipped one place down to sixth. Chanderpaul is the only West Indies batsman in the top 30.
South Africa stroke-maker A.B. de Villiers has claimed top spot in the rankings from Sri Lankan star batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who is now second.
In the bowling rankings, fast bowler Kemar Roach remains in the top ten but has fallen three places to tenth. He made a bright start to the first Test with two early wickets but picked up an injury and has been since ruled out of the series.
Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn remains at 21st with off-spinner Shane Shillingford, who is not on tour, ranked 23rd.
South Africa pacer Dale Steyn is No. 1. (CMC)
