31 Mar 2012

Clarke ranked best batsman in world cricket

11:15 am on 31 March 2012

Australia captain Michael Clarke's sparkling form with the willow was rewarded with the number one spot on the International Cricket Council's batsmen rankings.

The updated rankings have Clarke and South Africa's AB de Villiers sharing top spot on the batting list.

Clarke, who will return from a hamstring injury on Australia's Test tour of the West Indies, shot to the top due to his tally of 626 runs in his side's 4-nil home Test series rout of India.

It is the second time Clarke has headed the batting table, having first topped the batting list in August 2009 after he scored 93 against England in Australia's victory by an innings and 80 runs in the Leeds Test.

Shane Watson's successful return from injury lifted him to number four on the allrounder rankings, while Peter Siddle advanced one place to be the fourth-best bowler.

Proteas spearhead Dale Steyn remained the number one ranked bowler, but compatriot Vernon Philander jumped 11 places to a career-best fifth position, on the back of his performance in the series against New Zealand.