GALLE: Kumar Sangakkara is once again the No. 1 Test batsman in the world, following his double-century in Galle. His 221 helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the first Test. Sangakkara overhauled AB de Villiers and returned to the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2012. He has now spent a total of 81 Tests and 671 days as the top-ranked Test batsman. Sri Lanka’s captain, Angelo Mathews, has also moved up the rankings following his 91 and dashing 25 not out which won the Galle Test. Mathews, who has enjoyed an excellent run of form in Test cricket, has moved up to No. 5 – the highest ranking of his career. But the Galle victory was set up by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who ran through Pakistan on the final day with 6 for 48. The performance pushed him up to No. 6 in the Test bowling rankings.
England’s bowlers have also crept up the rankings following their hammering of India at Old Trafford. James Anderson’s five wickets moves him to No. 5 and Stuart Broad’s Man of the Match 6 for 25 in the first innings propels him back into the top 10 at No. 9.
Broad is also back ahead of Mitchell Johnson in the allrounder rankings, which are now topped by India’s R Ashwin, who replaced Vernon Philander after scoring 40-odd in both innings at Old Trafford. Agencies
