Jonathan Trott up to third in ICC Test rankings

Trott has been one of England's star performers (GETTY IMAGES)

England batsman Jonathan Trott has climbed to third in the ICC Test rankings on the back of his unbeaten century in the fourth Ashes Test.

Trott hit a 168 not out as the tourists sealed an innings and 157 runs victory over Australia to retain the Ashes.

Trott is now just nine ratings points behind second-place Sachin Tendulkar of India and could move above him depending on how he fares in the final Ashes Test and Tendulkar in India's Test with South Africa.

Kumar Sangakkara continues to top the rankings.

Alastair Cook has moved up one place to 13th and Kevin Pietersen up four to 21st.

Australia's top-order batsmen have taken a dive in the rankings.

Mike Hussey has dropped four places to share 10th position with Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera, Shane Watson has fallen two places to 15th, Michael Clarke has slipped three places to 24th and Ricky Ponting has dropped to 29th place, one behind England captain Andrew Strauss.

In the bowling rankings, Peter Siddle was rewarded for his six for 75 in Melbourne with a jump of six places to 11th.