Huge leap for Shillingford in ICC rankings

Dubai, March 28 (IANS/CMC):

West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford’s success in the recent two-Test series against Zimbabwe has catapulted him up the International Cricket Council Test bowlers’ rankings.

In the latest rankings released Wednesday, the 30-year-old Shillingford jumped a whopping 18 spots to be 23rd, to be the biggest overall mover.

The right-armer bowled outstandingly to capture 19 wickets against Zimbabwe, in the process breaking Courtney Walsh’s record for the most wickets in a two-Test series.

Walsh claimed 16 against New Zealand back in 1995.

Shillingford grabbed nine for 107 in the Bridgetown Test which West Indies won by nine wickets and then took ten for 93 in Roseau last week as the Windies wrapped up the series with a crushing innings and 65-run victory.

There was also similar success in the rankings for fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who leapt 18 spots to be 47th. The right-arm speedster also bowled impressively against Zimbabwe to finish with six wickets.

Seamer Kemar Roach, who had a poor series, dropped two places to 13th but remained the highest ranked West Indies bowler.

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn tops the bowlers’ rankings ahead of teammate Vernon Philander.

In the batting rankings, veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul has moved up one spot to second, behind the top ranked Hashim Amla of South Africa.

The 38-year-old struck his 28th Test century – a knock of 108 – in the second Test to become the eighth leading run-scorer on the all-time list.

Opener Chris Gayle, who also got a century in the Roseau Test, has moved up four places to 22nd but rookie left-hander Darren Bravo has dropped five spots to 24th, after a lean series against the Zimbabweans.