Ricky's rankings rise

Australian captain Ricky Ponting and paceman Peter Siddle have stormed up the ICC Test rankings following their impressive showings against Pakistan in the third Test at Bellerive Oval.

Ponting rose 13 places to seventh in the batting rankings after scoring his fifth career double century (209) and a second-innings 89 in Hobart in what was a stunning return to form.

Siddle, meanwhile, rocketed 11 places up the bowling rankings to 18th thanks to his match figures of 5-64.

Ponting's deputy Michael Clarke headed into the match as the 11th-ranked batsman but jumped six positions to break into the top five thanks to a career-high 166 in the first innings when he shared in a record 352-run fourth-wicket stand with Ponting.

And opening bat Simon Katich was another Aussie to improve his position, going from 21st to 19th in the rankings after he too scored a ton in Tasmania following three scores in the 90s this summer.

The news wasn't as good for fellow batsman Mike Hussey whose knocks of six and 13 not out saw him slip two spots to 16th.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Johnson maintained his standing as the second-best bowler in the world despite only managing one wicket, but he slipped down to fourth in the all-rounder rankings following innings of eight and zero with the bat.

Australia is still third in the Test championship with 118 ratings points, only two points behind second-placed South Africa (120) and six behind leader India (124).