England’s star batter Joe Root has once again risen to the pinnacle of Test cricket, reclaiming the No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings following his match-winning performance against India at Lord’s.
This marks Root’s eighth reign at the top, a testament to his enduring dominance in the longest format of the game.
The 34-year-old Root, now boasting 888 rating points, leapfrogged fellow Englishman Harry Brook (862) after contributing a crucial 104 in the first innings and a steady 40 in the second. His efforts powered England to a narrow 22-run win, handing the hosts a 2-1 lead in the gripping five-match series. The ICC hailed Root’s consistency and experience as a key factor in England’s resurgence.
This achievement makes Root the oldest batter to hold the No.1 ranking since Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who topped the charts at 37 in 2014. The ICC also noted that Root’s return to the summit reflects a career defined by class, longevity, and adaptability across conditions.
Other notable moves in the ICC rankings include Australia’s Steve Smith climbing one place to 5th, after a hard-fought 48 in a low-scoring Test against the West Indies. Smith now sits on 816 rating points. Cameron Green surged 16 spots to 29th following twin knocks of 46 and 42, continuing his steady rise as a dependable middle-order option.
In the bowling department, Scott Boland’s pink-ball mastery earned him a career-best sixth place in the rankings, thanks to a six-wicket haul that included a hat-trick. Though Mitchell Starc didn’t move from 10th, he inched closer to the top nine with 766 points.
Australia now boasts five bowlers in the ICC Test top 10, showcasing a level of dominance not seen since England’s golden era in 1958. Pat Cummins (3rd), Josh Hazlewood (4th), Nathan Lyon (8th), and Boland (6th) continue to anchor their attack.
Among rising stars, West Indies’ Shamar Joseph leapt 15 places to 14th, while India’s Washington Sundar climbed 12 spots to 46th after a spirited performance at Lord’s.
Root’s latest ascent solidifies his legacy as one of England’s greatest-ever batters. With the series still alive, all eyes are now on whether Joe Root can maintain his reign atop the ICC rankings and guide England to a historic series win.