Adam Gilchrist has become the first regular No.7 batsman to top the Test batting rankings.

Gilchrist's awesome form against South Africa over the summer took his Test average to 60.00 and meant it was only a matter of time before he became the first Australian since Steve Waugh to top the batting list.

The West Australian's elevation comes after first Brian Lara and then Sachin Tendulkar dropped below him in the India v West Indies series in the Windies.

Gilchrist is the first regular No.7 batsman to claim the top ranking on the PwC ratings.

Opener Matthew Hayden, in 5th spot, is the only other Australian in the top 10 with Steve Waugh, Damien Martyn and Justin Langer 11th, 12th and 13th.

With no more Test cricket to play till the tour to Pakistan, Gilchrist's chances of retaining 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 is well out in front in the bowling standings, followed by Glenn McGrath, South African skipper Shaun Pollock and Shane Warne, with the top four spots all unchanged.

© 2002 AAP