Mitchell Johnson jumps into ICC top five

Melbourne, Dec 25 (ANI): Australia's rising fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has broken into the top five of the ICC bowling rankings for the first time after his 11-wicket haul against South Africa at the WACA last week.

Johnson climbed two places to fifth to leapfrog Australia teammate Brett Lee who slipped back to seventh spot, The Australian reported.

Despite being sidelined for the South Africa Test series, Stuart Clark remains the highest-ranked Australian bowler in fourth place, behind Proteas pair Dale Steyn and Makahya Ntini who are second and third respectively.

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan tops the bowling list.

Michael Hussey is the highest-ranked Australian batsman but slipped from fourth-place to sixth along with Ricky Ponting who dropped three spots to ninth.

West Indies stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul kept his place at the top of the batsmen's table after another good series against New Zealand. (ANI)