Sachin takes over from Lara

Sachin Tendulkar

BRIDGETOWN, CANA - WEST Indies batting star Brian Lara has lost the top spot on the Pricewaterhouse-Coopers Test batting ratings after missing the last five Tests for his Caribbean side.

Lara, who went on a self-imposed break from international cricket after returning from a losing series in New Zealand earlier this year, has been replaced in the No. 1 position by India's Sachin Tendulkar.

The 31-year-old Trinidadian, who holds world batting records for Test (375) and first-class cricket (501 not out), had claimed the No. 1 spot during the home (four-Test) series against Australia last year, when he scored 546 runs at a remarkable average of 91.

The only other change in the top ten batsmen is Inzamam-ul-Haq's move up three places to sixth.

West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has advanced to 21st, Yousuf Youhana 22nd, and Jimmy Adams - like Inzamam, a former number one - is 24th.

West Indies rookie batsman Wavell Hinds is ranked 32nd after his man-of-the-series winning performance - 340 runs at an average of 68 - against Pakistan in the just concluded Cable and Wireless series against Pakistan.

BATTING: 1. Sachin Tendulkar (863 points), 2. Brian Lara (856), 3. Steve Waugh (841),4. Ricky Ponting (804), 5. Alec Stewart (791),6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (788), 7. Saeed Anwar (778), 8. Aravinda de Silva (775), 9. Justin Langer (767), 10. Jacques Kallis (747).

BOWLING: 1. Shaun Pollock (905 points), 2. Glenn McGrath (896), 3. Allan Donald (877), 4. Curtly Ambrose (824), 5. Muttiah Muralitharan (763), 6. Brett Lee (735), 7. Courtney Walsh (733), 8. Wasim Akram (726), 9. Anil Kumble (722), 10. Heath Streak (718).

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