Ranking rises reflective of growing health of NZ game

New Zealand's stature on the world cricket stage continues to rise after Daryl Tuffey broke into the top 10 on the PricewaterhouseCoopers rankings after the second Test victory in Hamilton.

Having twice dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in the Test and ending with eight for 53, he shot ahead of Shane Bond into ninth position on the ladder.

Bond slipped down to 12th, two ahead of injured all-rounder Chris Cairns.

Since the PwC rankings, or the Deloittes rating as they were originally known when developed in the late-1980s, this represents one of the more encouraging developments in the New Zealand game.

Sir Richard Hadlee was always a top-ranked bowler, and in his prime he had close support from Ewen Chatfield and John Bracewell. But with New Zealand holding its third placing on the International Cricket Council Test Championship ladder, it is growing confirmation of the improved health and resources of the New Zealand game.

Not since Hadlee, and several players who had been a vital part of the New Zealand game, retired in 1990 has there been the strength and depth to the national side that is reflected at the moment.