England’s stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Cardiff has kept it on course to reclaim second position on the ICC Test Championship table for the first time in more than three years.
Although the Test Championship table will be updated only at the end of the series, a 3—0 series win will put England one ratings point ahead of South Africa. England last occupied the second position in November 2007.
England players Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, who engineered the stunning innings and 14 runs victory over Sri Lanka, also achieved their career—best rankings in the list released on Tuesday.
Swann, who bagged 4—16 in the second innings to finish with figures of 7—94, has strengthened his second position on the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, which is still headed by Dale Steyn of South Africa.
Tremlett, who claimed 4—40 in the second innings to earn match figures of 5—121, has gained seven places and is now on a career—best ranking of 27th.
Among the Test batsmen, man of the match Jonathan Trott, who scored 203, has moved up one place to join former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in third position.
Ian Bell was also rewarded for his innings of 103 not out with a jump of three places to the 18th position for the first time in his career.
Skipper Alastair Cook also earned 15 ratings points for his innings of 133 which has put him on 818 ratings points and just 38 points behind the pair of Trott and Sangakkara.
Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavithana and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena moved up one place to 44th spot and six places to 51st position respectively.
