Hetmyer improves ICC batting rankings

Hetmyer improves ICC batting rankings
Associated Press / Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

Rising batting star Shimron Hetmyer has made huge strides in the ICC batting rankings following his heavy scoring in the recent One-Day series against Bangladesh.

The 21-year-old Guyanese left-hander was the biggest mover in the latest rankings and now lies 59th in the charts-jumping 77 places. Currently Indian stroke-maker Virat Kholi is at the top of the rankings.

Hetmyer found form in the three-match series against Bangladesh, hitting 207 runs in the second match in his native Guyana, helping West Indies a narrow three-run series-leveling victory.

The former ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning captain scored 52 in the opening ODI, which the hosts lost by 48 runs and chipped in with 30 in the final match when the Windies slipped to an 18-run defeat to concede the series 2-1.

Hetmyer made his ODI debut last December on the tour of New Zealand and has since played 12 matches.

Veteran Chris Gayle also gained in the rankings leaping 12 places to 66th after scores of 40,29 and 73, while Shai Hope moved up five spots to 45th, after scoring 148 runs at an average of 31, including half century in the final contest.

Barbadian Hope is the highest-ranked West Indies batsman, with Marlon Samuels, who missed the series through injury, next best at 52nd.