Gayle moves up in rankings

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle has risen three spots in the latest ICC Test batting rankings.

The left-handed opener is now 20th in the rankings but is only one of two West Indies batsmen in the top 20, with veteran Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul lying sixth after dropping one spot.

Gayle scored modestly in his last Test series, garnering just 159 runs from five innings against South Africa in the recent Home Series.

Chanderpaul got among the runs, however, rustling up 300 runs at an average of 75 in the series.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, who has not played a Test since the tour of Australia last December, dropped one place to 29th.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, meanwhile, claimed the top spot in the rankings, toppling Indian stroke-maker Virender Sehwag.

In the bowlers' rankings, fast bowler Jerome Taylor has moved up one spot to 16th and remains the only West Indies player in the top 20.

The 26-year-old has not played a Test since limping out of the opening match of the three-Test series against Australia last November after bowling just nine overs.

South African pacer Dale Steyn continues to lead the rankings.