England [ Images ] batsman Kevin Pietersen [ Images ] entered the top ten of the ICC [ Images ] Test batting rankings for the first time after notching consecutive hundreds in the home series against Sri Lanka [ Images ].

The 25-year-old batsman hit a rapid 142 to spur the team to Sunday's six-wicket victory at Edgbaston after top-scoring with 158 in the drawn first test at Lord's. England lead 1-0 in the three-test series.

The South African-born player gained seven places to be ranked 10th, the highest among England batsman and one spot ahead of opener Marcus Trescothick [ Images ] in the rankings released on Monday.

Among the most destructive batsmen in the game, Pietersen is also ranked seventh among one-day batsmen.

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ] maintained his grip as the top-ranked test bowler after capturing 10 for 115 at Edgbaston, his 15th ten-wicket Test haul.

He was well ahead of second-placed South African Makhaya Ntini [ Images ].

Victorious England captain Andrew Flintoff [ Images ] slipped to second among test all-rounders behind South Africa's [ Images ] Jacques Kallis [ Images ].