Matt Henry ends a 36-year wait, joining Jasprit Bumrah as joint no. 1 in ICC Test bowling rankings Cricket News:
Matt Henry has officially joined Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings. In the latest ranking update released on June 24, 2026, the two fast bowlers are tied at the top with 870 rating points each, making them joint World No. 1 Test bowlers.
Henry ended a 36-year wait for New Zealand pacers
Henry’s rise to the top marked a historic achievement for New Zealand cricket. He became the first Kiwi fast bowler to reach No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings since legendary pacer Sir Richard Hadlee, ending a 36-year wait for the New Zealand seamer. Only two other NZ bowlers have held the top spot in the rankings before – Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990).Bumrah, meanwhile, enjoyed an uninterrupted reign at the top since November 2024 before Henry’s latest surge brought him level.
How do the two pace giants compare?
As of June 2026, the world’s two highest-ranked Test bowlers boast outstanding career records.
| Bowlers: | Test wickets: | Best Bowling Figure: | Average Bowling: | Economy Rate: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry: | 152: | 7/23 | 26.05: | 3.11: |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 234: | 6/27 | 19.79: | 2.77: |
Henry’s rise to the top was driven by a stunning performance in New Zealand’s second test win over England at The Oval. The right-arm seamer produced match figures of 11/109, claiming 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second, as New Zealand secured a commanding 253-run victory to level the three-match series. Henry and Bumrah have been operating in a league of their own in recent years. Since the start of 2022, they are the only two fast bowlers in world cricket to have taken more than 100 Test wickets while maintaining a bowling average below 20.
Trent Bridge is waiting for Matt Henry
Matt Henry stands on the precipice of history as he leads the New Zealand attack into the 3rd and deciding Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting tomorrow, June 25, 2026. Having just regained the joint ranking of World No. If Henry replicates his 11-wicket haul from The Oval, he will become the sole holder of the ICC No.
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