Chanderpaul digs in at top; Samuels, Roach also move up

World No. 1 batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has stretched his lead at the top of the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) batting rankings, following his two half-centuries in the opening Lord’s Test against England last weekend.

The veteran left-hander has now moved to 878 rating points, 57 clear of the second placed South African batsman AB de Villiers, whom he recently replaced at the top.

Chanderpaul is now 22 points shy of the 900-point mark yet again, which he last reached four years ago.

Chanderpaul stroked 87 in the first innings and 91 in the second as the West Indies put up a brave fight before losing to England an hour before tea on the final day of the Test match.

Batsman Marlon Samuels also enjoyed healthy movement in the rankings, jumping eight places to 55th after his second innings of 86.

Opener Adrian Barath also made a leap in the batting rankings, rising 14 spots following scores of 42 and 14.

There was no such luck, however, for vice-captain Kirk Edwards whose double failure at lord’s saw him plunge nine places to 53rd. The right-hander scored one and nought.

Meanwhile, speedster Kemar Roach has jumped one place to a career-best ranking of 16th following his match-haul of six for 168.

His spell of three for 60 in the second innings put England on the backfoot for the first time during the game.

There was much for captain Darren Sammy to celebrate as he moved five places up to 68th in the batting rankings and two places to 23rd in the bowling rankings.

He is now ranked eighth among Test all-rounders.

–IANS/CMC

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