Cricket: Doull in elite of world bowlers

Simon Doull's exploits for New Zealand against India have rocketed him into the top five world bowlers, according to the latest rankings.

Doull has moved up 10 places to No 5 since the last Price Waterhouse Coopers rankings were released in November. He was man-of-the-match in the second-test win over India in Wellington last month, taking seven for 65 with a superb display of swing bowling in the first innings.

South Africa's Allan Donald maintains his place at the top of the table, just ahead of Curtly Ambrose for the West Indies and South African Shaun Pollock. Australian Glenn McGrath is fourth.

Doull's ranking earns him a reserve spot for the PWC world cricket XI named yesterday.

Chris Cairns has been ranked as the third best allrounder, behind two South Africans, Pollock and Jacques Kallis. He was rated 56 in batting and 23 in the bowling statistics.

Like Doull, Craig McMillan recorded his best world ranking, jumping 29 places to be listed at 25 among batsmen and becoming New Zealand's top-ranked scorer.

The world's top batsman is now Australia's Steve Waugh ahead of India's Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, down from top spot.

Other New Zealand rankings in the top 50:

Batsmen: Stephen Fleming 29 (-2), Nathan Astle 42 (+4), Bryan Young 46 (-2), Matthew Horne 50 (+5).

Bowlers: Dion Nash 24 (not in previous list), Daniel Vettori 35 (-10).

Meanwhile, South Africa leap-frogged over the West Indies into second place in the Wisden world test team rankings after beating the cricketers from the Caribbean in the fourth test in Cape Town yesterday.

South Africa have 19 points, six behind Australia, whose grip on first place remains firm after completing a 3-1 Ashes series victory over England.