Joe Root Returned to the top of the ICC men’s Test batting rankings, regaining the first position in the latest rankings released on June 24, 2026. England batsman dethrones team-mate Harry BrookeHe has only held the top spot for two weeks since overtaking Root on June 10. Root’s return to the top marks the 12th time in his illustrious career that he has topped the Test cricket rankings.
Root overtakes Brook and Hyde
The latest rankings update comes following the conclusion of the second Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval. Although England suffered a disastrous 253-run defeat, Root’s scores of 46 and 77 were enough to move him back above Harry Brooke and Australia’s Travis Head in the batting charts. Thus, Brooke’s reign at the top came to an end after a brief fortnight and Root once again established himself as the world’s highest-ranked Test batsman.
trent bridge The decider waits
Root will now get a chance to tighten his grip on the No. 1 spot when England take on New Zealand in the third Test of the series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 25. The three-game series is tied 1-1 and the stakes are high for both sides.England won the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs, before New Zealand responded with a commanding 253-run win at The Oval, turning the momentum firmly in their favor ahead of the decider.One of England’s biggest worries will be finding a way to counter New Zealand’s pace spearhead Matt Henry, who demolished the batting line-up with a staggering 11-wicket haul at the Oval, including figures of 5/80 and 6/29. The hosts are also keen to make amends on the World Test Championship table as they were deducted 12 WTC points and fined 50 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-charge during the second Test.
