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Friday, Sep 09, 2005

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Five England bowlers in top ICC rankings

Dubai: The five-member English bowling attack, which has put its team in a position to clinch its first Ashes triumph in 18 years, has found its way into the top 20 of the ICC Test rankings.

The performances of Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles, who have made life difficult for the much-vaunted Australian batting line-up in the first four Tests of the current series, have resulted in the best-ever combined points for an England bowling attack.

The rankings show that the biggest difference between the two sides during the series has been in the bowling department, although if Glenn McGrath returns for the final Test at The Oval, Australia will once again have two of the top three bowlers in the world at their disposal.

Hoggard is the highest ranked English bowler at No. 9 followed by Flintoff at 11. Harmison (13), Simon Jones (17) and Giles (20) also find themselves in the top bowlers' list.

McGrath still holds on to the top position followed by spin wizards Mutthiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

The highest ranked Indian bowler is Anil Kumble at eight with his spin twin Harbhajan Singh coming in at No. 15.

The Australian batting problems have resulted in Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist falling out of the top 10 to 12 and 13, leaving skipper Ricky Ponting to fly the Aussie flag at No. 5, though he too has lost one spot to India's Virender Sehwag.

Marcus Trescothick (8th) remains England's top ranked batsman, while Andrew Flintoff has gained six places to climb to 23rd, his career-best.

Jacques Kallis continues to lead the rankings followed by Brian Lara and India's Rahul Dravid. — PTI

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