Cricket: Boult reaches new highs in ICC rankings

Trent Boult has reached new highs in the latest ICC world player rankings. Photo / Getty Images

Trent Boult's injury has come at the same time he has reached new highs in the ICC World Player Rankings.

Boult has been ruled out of the England tour due with a back issue, a tough blow for a Black Caps side benefiting from Boult's career best form.

The paceman's impressive bowling has seen him reach a new career-best in both the official ICC test and ODI player rankings.

Boult is now ranked as the third best bowler in test cricket, with his 814 points seeing him trail only England quick James Anderson (824 points) and South African Dale Steyn (905).

Likewise, Boult's recent strong performances in ODI cricket has him at a career-best sixth in the 50-over rankings, which are topped by Australia's Mitchell Starc.

Kane Williamson also holds a lofty position in the latest rankings, coming in as the eighth best test batsman and the seventh best one-day strokeplayer.

Other New Zealanders are tracking well in the rankings, with Ross Taylor (15th) and Brendon McCullum (16th) maintaining their steady spots in the top 20 test batsmen, while BJ Watling has risen to a career-high 25th.

Taylor (11th), Martin Guptill (21st) and McCullum (22nd) also place inside the top 25 in the ODI batting rankings.

On the bowling side of things, Tim Southee sits as the 10th best test and 20th best one-day bowler, while Mark Craig's recent test displays has him moving up to a career best 39th.