England batsman Pietersen enters world's top ten

CRICKET: England batsman Kevin Pietersen entered the top ten of the ICC test batting rankings for the first time after notching consecutive hundreds in the home series against Sri Lanka.

The 25-year-old batsman hit a rapid 142 to spur the team to Sunday's six-wicket victory at Edgbaston after top-scoring with 158 in the drawn first test at Lord's. England lead 1-0 in the three-test series. The South African-born player gained seven places to be ranked 10th, the highest among England batsman and one spot ahead of opener Marcus Trescothick in the rankings released on Monday.

Among the most destructive batsmen in the game, Pietersen is also ranked seventh among one-day batsmen.

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan maintained his grip as the top-ranked test bowler after capturing 10-115 at Edgbaston, his 15th ten-wicket Test haul.

He was well ahead of second-placed South African Makhaya Ntini. Victorious England captain Andrew Flintoff slipped to second among test all-rounders behind South Africa's Jacques Kallis.

NEW DELHI, Monday, Reuters