Shane Watson's desire to become a specialist batsman has paid immediate dividends, with the Australia vice-captain breaking into the top ten of the ICC rankings released on Monday.

Watson, who has shelved his bowling duties until the Ashes tour starting in England in July, starred with the bat in the back half of Australia's 5-0 thrashing of the West Indies, scoring 198 runs at an average of 66 on return from a calf injury.

The 31-year-old jumped six places to eighth in the batting table and be Australia's top 50-over batsman, with captain Michael Clarke dropping two spots back to be tenth.

Watson's fast-bowling teammate Clint McKay broke into the bowlers' top 10 for the first time, moving from 14th to seventh.

Mitchell Johnson is the next best Australian bowler, moving up five spots to be equal 15th.

McKay took nine wickets at an average of 21.88, while teammate and player of the series Mitchell Starc jumped 30 players to be 38th after claiming 11 wickets at an average of 9.27.

Phil Hughes moved up 31 places into 42nd on the list, while George Bailey was another big mover - rising 27 places to be 21st following his maiden ODI century in the second game of the West Indies series.

South African pair Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers remain first and second on the batting list, while Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal retains his spot at the top of the one day bowlers.