Ian Bell may have fallen one run short of his maiden Test double century at Lord's, but his 199 against South Africa was enough to catapult him to a career-high 13th place in the Reliance Mobile ICC rankings. The Warwickshire batsman, who averages over 44 in Tests, has risen nine places and now ranks alongside Indian great Sachin Tendulkar in equal 13th.
Despite failing to beat the tourists, other Englishmen profited from their performance in the first Test.
Kevin Pietersen's 152 against his native country has seen him rise three places to seventh, his highest position in the rankings this year.
Andrew Strauss completes the trio of England batsmen now in the top 20, although his 44 was not enough to prevent the opener sliding one place to 17th in the list.
Ryan Sidebottom's three wickets in the match ensured that he leapfrogged South Africa seamer Makhaya Ntini, who failed to strike at Lord's, into a career-best fifth place.
Monty Panesar's four-wicket haul ensured he retains his place at 11th in the rankings.
Andrew Flintoff will be hoping to be recalled to the England XI for the second test at Headingley on Friday in order to improve on the 19th place he currently holds in the bowling standings.
The Lancashire star - who has not played a Test in 19 months - still lies well behind Jacques Kallis and Daniel Vettori in the all-rounder rankings in third.
England's James Anderson continues to climb, up four places to 22nd while further down the list, South Africa seamer Morne Morkel has broken into the top 50 for the first time to 46th after taking 4-121.
England still occupy fourth place in the overall Test rankings, but a series victory by a two-Test margin would see them move up to third with India remaining second and the Proteas slipping to fourth.
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