England [Images] batsman Kevin Pietersen [Images] entered the top ten of the ICC [Images] Test batting rankings for the first time after notching consecutive hundreds in the home series against Sri Lanka [Images].

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 [Images] 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 for 115 at Edgbaston, his 15th ten-wicket Test haul.

He was well ahead of second-placed South African Makhaya Ntini [Images].

Victorious England captain Andrew Flintoff [Images] slipped to second among test all-rounders behind South Africa's Jacques Kallis [Images].