IN FORM: Kane Williamson has risen to a career-high 6th in the latest ICC test cricket batting rankings.

New Zealand star Kane Williamson has climbed to a career-high No 6 on the International Cricket Council's test batting rankings.

The New Zealand right-hander earned his rise on the back of his stunning series against Sri Lanka where he scored 396 runs at an average of 198.

Two fifties and a career-high unbeaten 242 took Williamson past the 3000-run mark in tests.

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Williamson is the only Kiwi in the top with Ross Taylor slipping three spots to 13 and Brendon McCullum dropping a place to No 15 despite solid series efforts with the bat against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan star Kumar Sangakkara has reclaimed the No 1 batting ranking from South Africa's AB de Villiers on the back of his double century in Christchurch.

Black Caps left-arm pace star Trent Boult is similarly placed at No 6 on the test bowling rankings after taking 11 wickets in the four innings as New Zealand won both tests.

Fellow opening bowler Tim Southee is at No 10 and Neil Wagner the next best New Zealander at 22 in a list headed by South African star Dale Steyn.

New Zealand's team success has also been rewarded with the Black Caps now placed at No 5 among the 10 teams in the top tier.

The series win over Sri Lanka, coupled with Australia having toppled India across the Tasman, saw New Zealand get a significant lift.

The ranking is further reward for a fine spell over the past 12 months.

New Zealand had slipped to No 8, below the West Indies, and ahead of just Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on the rankings.

But six straight series either won or drawn, home and away, has seen New Zealand as the big improvers on the rankings.

The Black Caps have edged past India and Sri Lanka and have Pakistan and England within their grasp as they eye another busy year.

Latest test team rankings:

1 South Africa (124 rating)

2 Australia 118

3 England 104

4 Pakistan 103

5 New Zealand 99

6 Sri Lanka 96

7 India 95

8 West Indies 76

9 Bangladesh 32

10 Zimbabwe 18