Australia’s left-handed wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist went to the top of the world batting rankings announced on Monday. India’s Sachin Tendulkar dropped to third behind West Indies star Brian Lara.

Gilchrist, the first regular No 7 batsman to top the Test batting rankings, produced an awesome display against South Africa earlier this year to take his Test average to 60.00. He became the first Australian since Steve Waugh to top the batting list.

With no more Test cricket to play till Australia’s tour to Pakistan from September, Gilchrist’s chances of retaining the top spot depend on what Tendulkar and Lara do in the remaining two Tests in their current series.

Fellow wicketkeeper and left-handed batsman Andy Flower of Zimbabwe was top for just three months late last year.

Inzamam-ul-Haq was another short-lived No 1, occupying top place for just a couple of weeks late in 1997. Now Inzamam is back in contention after his magnificent triple-century in Lahore lifted him to fourth. Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan stays top of the bowling rankings.