ICC rankings for Test batsmen: Brendon McCullum's historic effort lands him at career-best spot

Brendon McCullum has achieved his career best ranking

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s spectacular match-saving knock of 302 in the Wellington Test against India has helped him jump eight places to a career-best 12th in the latest Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen.

McCullum, who became the first New Zealand batsman to score a triple hundred, helped draw the second and final Test in Wellington on Tuesday, to thereby win the series 1-0.

McCullum’s partner in a world record sixth-wicket partnership worth 352, BJ Watling, has also moved up the rankings, jumping three places to 45th as a result of his knock of 124.

McCullum, named the Player of the Match in the Wellington Test, shares 12th position with Australia’s David Warner (up by three).  Warner scored 115 in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion, a match won by his side by 281 runs.

Meanwhile, India’s Virat Kohli has moved up two places to a career-high of ninth, following knocks of 38 and 105 not out in the Wellington Test, to break into the top 10 of the batting table for the first time in his career.

Kohli joins seventh-ranked teammate Cheteshwar Pujara (down by one) as the only two India batsmen inside the top 10.

Two other centurions in the Wellington Test have also made upward moves in the latest table, Ajinkya Rahane is now in 46th (up by 15), while New Zealand’s debutant century-maker Jimmy Neesham has entered the rankings in 59th place. Neesham shares the position with fellow first-timer Alex Doolan of Australia.

Australia’s Shaun Marsh, meanwhile, has made a return to the table in 63rd position following scores of 148 and 44 in the Centurion Test against South Africa.

South Africa’s AB de Villiers continues to top the batting table, followed by Kumar Sangakkara in second position and Shivnarine Chanderpaul of West Indies in third place.

Full Rankings: