Ponting, Gilchrist join Dravid, Tendulkar in elite club

Dubai, Apr 13 (UNI) Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist's hundreds against Bangladesh in Fatullah, innings that ensured Australia a come-from-behind victory in an epic Test match, have seen the duo join a very select group of batsmen.

By reaching three figures, both Ponting and Gilchrist have now scored hundreds against all of the other nine ICC Members to have played Tests, a feat only previously achieved by Steve Waugh, Gary Kirsten, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Marvan Atapattu.

Ponting's 118 not out has ensured he remains well clear of South Africa's Jacques Kallis at the top of the batting list and he is now just one rating point short of his best-ever mark, set after twin hundreds against South Africa in Durban last month.

For Gilchrist, who passed 5000 Test runs during his first innings 144, there is the satisfaction of moving back into the top 20 after scoring his first century at the highest level since March 2005 in Wellington, New Zealand. And it means that, once again, Australia have an amazing six batsmen in that top 20.

Those other players are Matthew Hayden (5th), Michael Hussey (9th), Damien Martyn (14th) and the injured Justin Langer (17th).

But the Fatullah Test also showcased some superb performances from Bangladesh players and three of the leading lights in the home side's effort have all made significant progress up the LG ICC Player Rankings.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, whose nine wickets in the match came so close to earning his side victory, is now 26th in the bowling list, up 10 places, and he is comfortably the highest-ranked Bangladesh bowler.

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