Cricket: Siddle, Hilfenhaus rise up rankings

Peter Siddle has risen two places to fifth on the bowling rankings. Photo / Getty Images

Australia pace duo Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have achieved career-best ICC rankings following their performances in the third Test against India in Perth.

Siddle, who took match figures of 6-85 in Australia's innings victory, has risen two places to fifth on the bowling rankings released on Monday night.

Swing specialist Hilfenhaus, after claiming 8-97, has moved up five spots to sixth spot. The 28-year-old Tasmanian has broken into the top 10 for the first time in his career.

Hilfenhaus had started the four-Test series against India in 31st position on the rankings but his 23 wickets in three matches have elevated him 25 spots.

Siddle has taken 17 wickets in the series.

Australia are considering resting one of the pair for the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide starting on January 24, with spinner Nathan Lyon to return to the side after the home team played a four-man pace attack on the bouncy WACA pitch in Perth last week.

Australia's highest-ranked batsman is skipper Michael Clarke in 11th spot.

Meanwhile coach Mickey Arthur says a 4-0 sweep against India is high on his No.4-ranked team's agenda and so is preparing for next year's Ashes tour against top-ranked England.

"It is the ultimate goal,'' Arthur said.

"This Indian series was a world-championship cricket series for us.

"The South African series early next summer is going to be a huge series.

"We need to be able to win those series against opponents ranked higher than us in the world in order to go back into England and challenge.

"Winning back the Ashes is at the forefront of everybody's mind. I'd be lying if I didn't say that we were trying to build a really competitive team to go back and win them in 2013 but not at the detriment of any other series.

"We're a little bit ahead of where I thought we would be at this point in time.

"There's a lot of good talent. Competition for players is going to be rife.''

- AAP