Cricket: Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson leaps up world rankings

Kane Williamson plays a stroke during his double century against West Indies. Photosport

Kane Williamson has moved into second place in the latest ICC Men's test batsmen rankings following his test high 251 against the West Indies in the opening test in Hamilton.

The Black Caps skipper now shares with team India captain Virat Kohli. Australia's Steve Smith remains in number one spot.

Williamson's recent performance saw him gain ranking 74 points, moving from 812 to 886. His compatriot, Tom Latham, garnered his career-best points tally of 733 and tenth place on the table, thanks to his innings of 86 in the first innings.

Neil Wagner's six wickets in the match edged him ahead of England's Stuart Broad back into second place in the bowlers' rankings, equaling his career-best position, which he first achieved back in December 2019.

Tim Southee made his test debut back in March 2008, but his current tally of 817 points is his highest taking him to fourth.

From the West Indies camp, Jermaine Blackwood continued the good form he showed on the tour of England earlier in the year, scoring his second test century. The knock shot him up 17 places to 41st, his best position since reaching 40th in August 2017.

Alzarri Joseph's unlikely 86 in the West Indies second innings rocketed him up 31 places to rank 123 with a career-best of 219 points.

West Indies Captain, Jason Holder dropped from fifth to seventh having not taken any wickets. Holder has also lost the top spot in the all-rounders table. He was top by one point from England's Ben Stokes, but Stokes now has a twelve-point advantage. Stokes briefly held the top spot during the summer, snatching it from Holder after the second test with the West Indies, before Holder reclaimed it.