Brathwaite in top batting rankings

Brathwaite in top batting rankings
West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite.
Associated Press / Rob Griffith

West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite has moved up into the top 20 of the ICC batting rankings, after rising one place in the latest release.

The right-hander is coming off an average two-match series against Zimbabwe in November where he scored 121 runs from three innings at an average of 40.

He had a difficult home series against Pakistan with just l0l runs from six innings but has made steady progress up the rankings since then, following the three-Test tour of England where he averaged 47.

Brathwaite, 24, has emerged as the Windies batting leader in recent years and averages 36 from 42 Tests.

He is currently in New Zealand for the two-Test match starting this month (December).

Brathwaite is the only West Indies batsman in the top 20 with the next best being the in-form right-hander Shai Hope who stands at 25th.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, has remained 20th in the bowling rankings. Following his five wicket haul in the two Tests against Zimbabwe recently.

The Trinidadian is the highest ranked West Indies bowler, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo lying 23rd and seamer Kemar Roach, 24th.