The left-arm spinner took 5-46 to help set up England's seven-wicket win and finish the series as England's man of the series with 23 wickets.

He is joint-sixth with Matthew Hoggard in the rankings, which are led by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralidaran.

Alastair Cook has climbed to a new high of 20th in the batting rankings.

Cook, 22, has enjoyed an incredible start to his Test career since coming into the side in March 2006.

The Essex left-hander hit two centuries in the 3-0 series win against the West Indies.

Panesar's accuracy and wicket-taking threat caused problems to all the opposition during the fourth and final Test at the Riverside.

"It's been an unbelievable series to get 23 wickets in the four Test matches and I feel very lucky with the way things have gone," said Panesar.

"I am very pleased with my performances."

At the start of the series there was some discussion in the media that the 25-year-old, who only made his Test debut in India last year, would be left out of the team for the first Test to accommodate an extra seamer.

He made that debate look ridiculous by taking 6-129 in the first innings and although he only took one wicket in the second Test, he was inspirational in the third.

He took his first 10-wicket haul to spin England to a series victory and continued his impressive form in the final Test at Chester-le-Street.