Warne takes his turn up rankings (23 June 1999)
The re-emergence of Shane Warne as a leading one-day bowler was confirmed by the computer world rankings published yesterday, which elevated the Australian leg-spinner into second place
23-Jun-1999
23 June 1999
Warne takes his turn up rankings
Charles Randall
The re-emergence of Shane Warne as a leading one-day bowler was
confirmed by the computer world rankings published yesterday, which
elevated the Australian leg-spinner into second place.
His sharp improvement in the PricewaterhouseCoopers ratings after
successive man-of-the-match performances in the semi-final and final
of the World Cup should improve his bargaining during negotiations
for him to play county cricket.
Warne failed to dislodge Shaun Pollock, the South Africa seamer, but
his sharp improvement was reflected in his rise from 20th place at
the start of the year, when Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was
the No 1.
Michael Bevan, true to his reputation as the best No 6 in the
business, stayed top of the batting ahead of Lance Klusener.
Interestingly, the ratings had already identified Klusener as a
potential World Cup star, ranking the South African at ninth before
the tournament, a rise of 30 places since January.
Graham Thorpe (12th) overtook Graeme Hick (13th) as England's
highest-ranked player during the World Cup. Darren Gough slipped two
places to eighth equal with Muttiah Muralitharan.
Nottinghamshire have strengthened their back-up team by acquiring
Gordon Greenidge, the former West Indies opener, as batting coach.
Greenidge had parted with Bangladesh at the end of their World Cup
campaign.
Wasim Akram's hopes of playing for Smethwick are in doubt because the
Pakistan captain has not been registered by the club with the
Birmingham League. Wasim had signed a two-year contract with
Smethwick in January.
Wasim had said he hoped to make his debut for Smethwick either
against West Bromwich Dartmouth this weekend or Stratford on July 3
but Birmingham League chairman Graham Williamson confirmed: "Wasim
will only be allowed to play when we have received a registration
form."
Source :: The Electronic Telegraph