West Indies opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite and pace-bowler Kemar Roach increased their ranking in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings, despite the West Indies losing the first Test against New Zealand in New Zealand recently.
In the rankings released on last week, Brathwaite rose two places to 17th in the batting rankings, the highest placement for a Windies player, while Roach rose three spots to 20th position.
Brathwaite, the West Indies vice-captain, but who is captaining the team in the 2nd Test subbing for Captain Jason Holder who was suspended, had an impressive 91 score in the second inning of the first Test played in Wellington.
Roach, was the West Indies best bowler in the losing venture, and is now the highest ranking West Indies bowler.
The WIndies medium pace bowler Miguel Cummins also rose in the international ranking, moving up four places to 77th in the bowling rankings.
Australian Steve Smith and England seamer Jimmy Anderson remain on top of the batting and bowling rankings, respectively.
West Indies won toss in New Zealand match
Meanwhile the West Indies won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the deciding second and final Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Windies must win the match to square the series after New Zealand comprehensively won the first Test in Wellington by an innings and 67 runs.
The pitch, which had been covered in recent days to prevent it over-cooking in an ongoing Hamilton heatwave, was more brown than is customary in New Zealand.
Both West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said it was obviously ripe to bowl first.
“It’s a bit firmer than usual when we do play here, it should do a bit early on,” Williamson said.
New Zealand have built a healthy record at Seddon Park where they have won three and drawn one of their past four Tests, including an eight-wicket win over the West Indies four years ago.
The West Indies have made one change from the first Test.
Left-arm allrounder Raymon Reifer will make his debut for the West Indies, replacing regular captain Jason Holder who has been suspended for an overs violation.
