Ian Bell’s high-scoring form during England’s recent whitewash of India has seen him move up the ICC Test rankings.
Knocks of 159 at Trent Bridge and 235 have elevated the Warwickshire batsman into third position alongside England team-mate Alastair Cook.
Fellow England international Kevin Pietersen has also been rewarded with a move up to eighth in the standings.
Meanwhile, England bowlers James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad are second, third and fifth respectively.