Paul Drinkhall and Liam Pitchford have hit new career highs in the world rankings

Fresh from their Commonwealth Games achievements, Liam Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall have hit career highs in the ITTF world rankings.

England No 1 Liam, who became England’s first non-para singles medallist at a multi-sport event when he won bronze in Glasgow, moves into the top 50 for the first time, rising from No 59 to the No 44 slot.

He is also ranked sixth in the world under-21 list, with only Chinese and Japanese players above him.

Paul, who won mixed doubles gold alongside his wife Joanna, beating Liam and Tin-Tin Ho into the silver medal position, now stands at 74 having moved up from 85.

Both men were also part of the squad which won team silver in Glasgow, alongside Andrew Baggaley, Danny Reed and Sam Walker. Reed, who took mixed doubles bronze alongside Kelly Sibley, advances from No 189 to No 177 in the rankings.

Click here to see the full ITTF rankings list.

By Paul Stimpson (August 8, 2014)