Chanderpaul on way to 10 000 runs

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (FP)

Sat, April 14, 2012 - 8:00 AM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Veteran West Indies left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul is steadily continuing to make his way back to the top of world cricket.

Yesterday, the 37-year-old jumped another three spots to move to fifth in the latest International Cricket Council Test player rankings.

His rise comes on the heels of his unbeaten 103 in the opening Test against Australia at Kensington Oval. It was his 25th Test century, surpassing legendary captain Sir Vivian Richards (24) and moving to within one of the incomparable Sir Garry Sobers.

Chanderpaul is now also just 188 runs away from becoming the second West Indies batsman to reach 10 000 Test runs, behind the outstanding Brian Lara who finished with 11 953 runs.

Meanwhile, the left-handed Darren Bravo Darren Bravo, who scored 51 in the first innings and 32 in the second, has remained 21st in the rankings despite reaching a career-best ratings points of 695.

At the top, Australia captain Michael Clarke fell two places to allow South African A.B. de Villiers to take sole possession of the number one spot.

In the bowling rankings, captain and medium pacer Darren Sammy has jumped four places to 22nd, to become the highest ranked West Indies bowler after taking three wickets in consistent spells in the last Test.

South African speedster Dale Steyn leads an unchanged top five. (CMC)