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Freddie returns to bowling elite

04/09/2008

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has forced his way back into the world's top ten bowlers following a string of impressive performances in the recent one-day series against South Africa.

The influential Lancastrian has climbed five places to eighth in the new rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Flintoff's return to form saw him produce the best statistics of any performer in the series, taking the most wickets (ten) at the lowest average (12.90) with the most miserly economy rate (4.20) and the most penetrative strike-rate (18.40) of anyone bowling more than five overs.

The 30-year-old joins team-mate Stuart Broad (who is down one spot to fifth) in the top ten after both men played a major part in guiding the hosts to a 4-0 win in the five-match home series against the Proteas.

This propelled England from seventh to third in the world one-day rankings over the last two months, and maintained new England skipper Kevin Pietersen's impressive start in his new role.

Hampshire middle-order star Pietersen remains seventh in the batsmen's rankings after a number of solid performances with the bat against the country of his birth.

The new rankings made for less enjoyable reading for South Africa, who saw the out-of-form Jacques Kallis drop out of the top five in the all-rounder category - which is headed by Flintoff.

Injured captain Graeme Smith had a disappointing one-day series after starring with the bat for the Test side, dropping one place to third in the world.

And fast bowler Makhaya Ntini dropped out of the world's top 20 bowlers following a disappointing tour, while Andre Nel fell three spots to 13th overall.