Sidebottom on the rise

Ryan Sidebottom celebrates one of his six wickets at Lord's © Getty Images

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England seamer Ryan Sidebottom has risen to a career high of sixth in the Test bowling rankings.

Sidebottom has enjoyed an outstanding year since returning to the side last summer.

He was man of the series after taking 24 wickets on the recent tour of New Zealand, and was named England's Player of the Year last week.

The left-armer continued his progress by claiming six victims in the first npower Test against the Kiwis at Lord’s, which finished yesterday.

Sidebottom, up from 10th, is England’s highest-ranked bowler while Matthew Hoggard - currently sidelined by a broken thumb - is 12th. Kevin Pietersen is England’s highest batsman at 10th.

Mike Hussey of Australia and record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan remain the top batsman and bowler respectively.

New Zealand’s Jacob Oram, who defied England with a century yesterday, has risen two places to fifth in the all-rounder’s standings, two behind the injured Andrew Flintoff.