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The re-emergence of Shane Warne as a leading one-day bowler was confirmed by the computer world rankings published yesterday, which elevated the Australian leg-spinner into second place.

His sharp improvement in the PricewaterhouseCoopers ratings after successive man-of-the-match performances in the semi-final and final of the World Cup should improve his bargaining during negotiations for him to play county cricket.

Warne failed to dislodge Shaun Pollock, the South Africa seamer, but his sharp improvement was reflected in his rise from 20th place at the start of the year, when Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was the No 1.

Michael Bevan, true to his reputation as the best No 6 in the business, stayed top of the batting ahead of Lance Klusener. Interestingly, the ratings had already identified Klusener as a potential World Cup star, ranking the South African at ninth before the tournament, a rise of 30 places since January.

Graham Thorpe (12th) overtook Graeme Hick (13th) as England's highest-ranked player during the World Cup. Darren Gough slipped two places to eighth equal with Muttiah Muralitharan.

Nottinghamshire have strengthened their back-up team by acquiring Gordon Greenidge, the former West Indies opener, as batting coach. Greenidge had parted with Bangladesh at the end of their World Cup campaign.

Wasim Akram's hopes of playing for Smethwick are in doubt because the Pakistan captain has not been registered by the club with the Birmingham League. Wasim had signed a two-year contract with Smethwick in January.

Wasim had said he hoped to make his debut for Smethwick either against West Bromwich Dartmouth this weekend or Stratford on July 3 but Birmingham League chairman Graham Williamson confirmed: ``Wasim will only be allowed to play when we have received a registration form.''