Cook back in world top 20

ALASTAIR Cook received "nine out of ten" from Michael Vaughan for his leadership skills in Bangladesh – and he is also officially back in the world top 20 as a batsman this morning.

Cook's second-innings century in Dhaka helped England wrap up a 2-0 win in his first series as captain. The opener's efforts in charge, in the absence of the rested Andrew Strauss, left former England captain Vaughan largely impressed as he gave his tour verdict.

Cook has led from the front with two hundreds in four innings and 342 runs in all, pushing himself up three places in the International Cricket Council's Test batting rankings to 20th. He is the only England batsman in the top 20. But Kevin Pietersen is back up to 23rd, thanks to his return to form.

Elsewhere in the ICC rankings, Bangladesh captain Shakib-al-Hasan's all-round performances in the second Test have pushed him up nine places as a batsman and to a career-best 12th as a bowler. Australia batsman Simon Katich (15th) and bowler Doug Bollinger (19th) have also gone up to career-high positions.

Their team-mate Michael Clarke is up to second in the batting rankings, behind India opener Virender Sehwag. South Africa's Dale Steyn is the best bowler in the world, just above England off-spinner Graeme Swann.