July 7: By virtue of its win over Australia in the first Test of the Ashes series, England continue to top The Indian Express Test Ratings for the year 1997.

At the end of June, West Indies, after its success against Sri Lanka, have now moved to the second position. World Cup champions Sri Lanka remain at the bottom, just below India. Interestingly, four teams Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan are all clustered together for the third position.

West Indian Brian Lara, by scoring a hundred in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, now has consolidated the top position in batting. Australian Glenn McGrath who was occupying the ninth position, is now the number one bowler for 1997. His eight for 38 at Lord's is the best bowling performance of the year.

Sri Lankan Muralitharan's consistent performances last month has steadily moved him to the second position, followed by West Indian Curtly Ambrose who recently bagged his 300th wicket.

TOP BOWLERS

Rank Bowlers Team Wkt Mtch

1 (9) Glenn McGrath Aus 29 7

2 (-) M Muralitharan SL 28 5

3 (-) Curtly Ambrose WI 28 8

4 (4) Darren Gough Eng 27 5

5 (1) Anil Kumble Ind 25 7

6 (7) Ian Bishop WI 24 8

7 (9) Franklyn Rose WI 23 7

8 (2) Allan Donald SA 22 5

9 (5) Shane Warne Aus 22 7

10 (3) Simon Doull NZ 21 5

TOP BATSMEN

Rank Batsmen Teams Runs Mtch

1 (1) Brian Lara WI 730 9

2 (2) Rahul Dravid India 603 7

3 (6) A de Silva SL 601 6

4 (8) Greg Blewett Aus 564 7

5 (-) S Jayasuriya SL 543 6

6 (10) Carl Hooper WI 512 9

7 (3) S Tendulkar Ind 511 7

8 (4) Bryan Young NZ 504 5

9 (5) S Chanderpaul WI 474 7

10 (-) Mike Atherton Eng 462 5

TOP BOWLERS

Rank Bowlers Team Wkt Mtch

(9) Glenn McGrath Aus 29 7

2 (-) M Muralitharan SL 28 5

3 (-) Curtly Ambrose WI 28 8

4 (4) Darren Gough Eng 27 5

5 (1) Anil Kumble Ind 25 7

6 (7) Ian Bishop WI 24 8

7 (9) Franklyn Rose WI 23 7

8 (2) Allan Donald SA 22 5

9 (5) Shane Warne Aus 22 7

10 (3) Simon Doull NZ 21 5

TOP TEAMS

Rank Teams P W L D % Success

1 (1) England 5 3 - 2 80.00

2 (3) West Indies 9 3 1 4 61.11

3 (2) Australia 7 3 3 1 50.00

3 (4) South Africa 5 2 2 1 50.00

3 (4) New Zealand 5 2 2 1 50.00

3 (4) Pakistan 2 - - 2 50.00

7 (7) India 7 - 2 5 35.71

8 (8) Sri Lanka 6 - 3 3 25.00

Note: Zimbabwe has not yet qualified to the above list since they are yet to play in any Tests in 1997.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.