Sachin, India break into top five

Sachin Tendulkar's superlative batsmanship in the recently-concluded Test series against England has won him a place in the 'Top Five' of the CEAT Cricket Ratings for the year 2001-02.

Sachin is currently ranked fifth in the Ratings with 59 points, behind Aussie Shane Warne (62 points) and Proteas Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs (both 65 points apiece).

Leading the ratings with an outstanding tally of 94 points is Muttiah Muralitharan, who was declared the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year 2000-01 for topping the ratings last year.

The two Test wins on foreign soil, in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively, and the 1-0 triumph at home against England have earned India the fourth spot in the CEAT International Team Ratings with 46 points.

The ratings are presently headed by Sri Lanka, with 72 points. They are followed by previous year's toppers South Africa (60 points) and Australia (57 points).

With the Indian cricket team scheduled to play two Tests and eleven one-day internationals at home before the end of the CEAT Cricket Year, both Sachin and the Indian team itself have the opportunity to improve upon their present rankings.

Instituted in 1995-96, the annual CEAT International Cricket Ratings take into account performances by individuals and teams in Tests and ODIs from May 1 to the April 30.

Previous winners of the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year award are Brian Lara (1995-96), Venkatesh Prasad (1996-97), Jacques Kallis (1998-99) and Sourav Ganguly (1999-00).

Pakistan were the first winners of the CEAT International Team of the Year award in 1996-97.

The award has since been won by South Africa (1998-99) and Australia twice (1997-98 and 1999-00).