Ricky Ponting (2003 and 2005-2007)
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was a great batsman in international cricket history. While he played the joint second most Test matches (168 Tests) after serving for his country between 1995 and 2012, the right-handed batsman finished as the second most Test run-scorer after scoring 13378 runs with an average 51.85. During his Test career, Ponting hit 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.
Ponting reached the top spot of the ICC Test batting rankings for the first time in late 2003, which he failed to maintain for a long time. But when he reclaimed that spot in late 2005, the right-handed batsman continued that position till 2007. His highest Test rating was 942 (4th December 2006), which is the joint-fourth highest rating in the Test batting rankings history.