India jumps to 5th spot, Zaheer breaks into top ten in ODI ranking

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) The 2-0 series win against Bangladesh propelled India to fifth spot, while left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan broke into the top ten among bowlers in the latest ODI rankings issued by Maruti Suzuki.

Australia continued to lead the ratings with 99 points, followed by World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka (92 points) and two other semi-finalists South Africa (81 points) and New Zealand (73 points).

India, who is on 65 points, is followed by England (59 points) at the sixth position.

Pakistan's two wins against the Lankans in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi series have earned them the seventh position with 45 points.

The series loss to India saw Bangladesh slipping down the ladder to eighth with 42 points followed by the West Indies (40 points) and Kenya (14 points).

Meanwhile, Australia's big-shouldered opener Matthew Hayden (190 points) still continues to lead the batting chart as a result of his impressive run in the Caribbean World Cup.

He is being closely followed by his captain Ricky Ponting (183 points) and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis (177 points). The fourth and fifth positions were respectively held by England batsman Kevin Pietersen and Aussie wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

In the bowlers category, Baroda paceman Zaheer Khan earned himself the ninth position by virtue of a consistent good show in the Bangladesh series.

Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan tops the bowlers' list with 196 points, followed by Australian left-hand seamer Nathan Bracken (186 points) and Kiwi pace spearhead Shane Bond (180 points). The fourth and fifth positions were held by Aussie new-kid Shaun Tait and veteran South African bowler Andrew Hall.

ODI Team rankings: Australia (99), Sri Lanka (92), South Africa (81), New Zealand (73), India (65), England (59), Pakistan (45), Bangladesh (42), West Indies (40), Kenya (14).

ODI Batsmen rankings: Mathew Hayden (190), Ricky Ponting (183), Jacques Kallis (177), Kevin Pietersen (173), Adam Gilchrist (170), Michael Clarke (166), Mahela Jayawardene (163), Shivnaraine Chanderpaul (160), Scott Styris (158), Sanath Jayasuriya (155).

ODI Bowlers rankings: Muttiah Muralitharan (196), Nathan Bracken (186), Shane Bond (180), Shaun Tait (176), Andrew Hall (169), Daniel Vettori (164), Brad Hogg (160), Lasith Malinga (156), Zaheer Khan (153 points), Chaminda Vaas (150).

UNI