Duomove up rankings after third-test success
Australia pace duo Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have achieved career-best ICC rankings with their performances in the third test against India in Perth.
Siddle, who had match figures of 6-85 in Australia’s innings victory, has risen two places to fifth on the bowling rankings released last night.
Swing specialist Hilfenhaus, after claiming 8-97, has moved up five spots to sixth.
The 28-year-old Tasmanian has broken into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Hilfenhaus had started the fourtest series against India in 31st position on the rankings but his 23 wickets in three matches have elevated him 25 places.
Siddle has taken 17 wickets in the series.
Australia are considering resting one of the pair for the fourth and final test against India in Adelaide starting on January 24.
Spinner Nathan Lyon will return to the side after the home team played a four-man pace attack on the bouncy Waca pitch in Perth last week.
Australia’s highest-ranked batsman is skipper Michael Clarke in 11th spot.
Coach Mickey Arthur says a 4-0 sweep against India is high on his No 4-ranked team’s agenda and they are preparing for next year’s Ashes tour against top-ranked England.
‘‘It is the ultimate goal,’’ Arthur said. ‘‘This Indian tour was a world-championship cricket series for us.
‘‘The South African series early next summer is going to be a huge series.
‘‘We really need to be able to win those against opponents ranked higher than us in the world in order to go back to England and challenge.
‘‘Winning back the Ashes is at the forefront of everybody’s mind.
‘‘I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we were trying to build a really competitive team to go back and win them in 2013, but not at the detriment of any other series.
‘‘We’re a little bit ahead of where I thought we would be at this point in time. There’s a lot of good talent. Competition for players is going to be rife.’’