Cricket: McCullum moves up test rankings

Brendon McCullum is now ranked 12th in the test batting rankings. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum's spectacular match-saving knock of 302 in the Wellington test against India has helped him jump eight places to a career-best 12th in the latest ICC player rankings for test batsmen.

McCullum, who became the first New Zealand batsman to score a triple hundred, helped draw the second and final test in Wellington on Tuesday, to thereby win the series 1-0.

McCullum shares 12th position with Australia's David Warner.

McCullum's partner in a world record sixth-wicket partnership worth 352, BJ Watling, has also moved up the rankings, jumping three places to 45th as a result of his knock of 124.

Ross Taylor remains the top ranked New Zealander but has moved down two spots to fifth after missing the second test due to the birth of son Jonty. Kane Williamson is ranked just outside the top 20 in 21st position.

Jimmy Neesham enters to rankings at 59th following a century on debut at the Basin Reserve. He currently has a test average of 170 following scores of 33 and 127 not out.

India's Virat Kohli has moved up two places to a career-high of ninth,
following knocks of 38 and 105 not out in Wellington, to break into the top 10 of the batting table for the first time in his career.

South Africa's AB de Villiers continues to top the batting table, followed by Kumar Sangakkara in second position and Shivnarine Chanderpaul of West Indies in third place.

Tim Southee moved up a place to a career-best ninth in the test bowling rankings following his match haul of five for 143 in Wellington. Southee is now on 757 ratings points, just 10 behind eighth-ranked teammate Trent Boult.

Australia's Mitchell Johnson jumped five places to fourth following his spectacular match-winning haul of 12 for 127 in the Centurion test against South Africa. Vernon Philander has ceded the number-one position in the bowlers' table to teammate Dale Steyn after a 55-day reign at the top.