1 Jan 2016

Williamson dethroned as world number one

1:12 pm on 1 January 2016

Black Caps master blaster Kane Williamson has been dethroned as cricket's world No.1 Test batsman by Australia captain Steve Smith.

Kane Williamson after scoring his 12th Test century at Perth, 2015.

Kane Williamson after scoring his 12th Test century at Perth, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Smith, who last week was named International Cricket Council cricketer and Test player of the year, entered the second test against the West Indies in Melbourne in fourth position.

But after scoring 134 not out and an unbeaten 70 in Australia's 177-run win over the West Indies, Smith moved ahead of Kane Williamson of New Zealand, England's Joe Root and A.B. de Villiers of South Africa.

ICC said that Ashwin, who started the year ranked 15th, claimed the No.1 bowling spot for the first time in his career, taking a 2015-best 62 wickets in nine Tests, including seven five-wicket hauls.

- AP