Fresh from amassing a massive 659 runs during Australia's successful World Cup campaign in the Caribbean, Hayden has moved up to equal fifth spot in the rankings, joining Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey in the top five.

While England batsman Kevin Pietersen heads the rankings, Australia has the most players of any nation in the top 10, with Adam Gilchrist (nine) and Michael Clarke (10) also ranked highly.

Andrew Symonds sits narrowly outside the top 10 in 11th position, while Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene is the big mover, the 29-year-old moving up to 13th spot after scoring 548 runs at the World Cup.

The top 10 in the bowling rankings remain unchanged, with left-armer Nathan Bracken the highest Australian at No.2.

Batsman rankings
1. Kevin Pietersen (England)
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
3. Mike Hussey (Australia)
4. Mahendra Dhoni (India)
5. Matthew Hayden (Australia)
5. Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies)
7. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
7. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
9. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
10. Michael Clarke (Australia)

Bowler rankings
1. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
2. Nathan Bracken (Australia)
3. Shane Bond (New Zealand)
4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
5. Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
6. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)
7. Makhaya Ntini (South Africa)
8. Brett Lee (Australia)
9. Abdur Razzaq (Bangladesh)
10. Andre Nel (South Africa)

Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O'Connor has paid tribute to the late Bill Johnston after the former Australian Test cricketer passed away in Sydney on Thursday night.

Born in the small Victorian country of Beeac, 19 kilometres north of Colac, Johnston played 40 Tests for Australia between 1947 and 1955 taking 60 wickets at an average of 23.91.

He also played for Victoria, taking 554 first-class wickets at 23.35, and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1949.

Sportal