Joe Root reclaimed the no. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings ahead of Trent Bridge decider against New Zealand Cricket News:
Joe Root: returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, reclaiming the No. 1 position in the latest rankings released on June 24, 2026. England batting stalwart dethroned Harry Brookewho occupied the top spot for just two weeks after overtaking Root on June 10. Root’s return to the top marks the 12th time in his illustrious career that he has held the No. 1 rank in Test cricket.
Root overtook Brook and Head
The latest ranking update follows the conclusion of the second Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval. Although England suffered a crushing defeat by 253 runs, Root’s scores of 46 and 77 were enough to propel him back above Australia’s Harry Brook and Travis Head in the batting charts. Brook’s reign at the top thus ended after a brief two-week stint, with Root once again establishing himself as the highest-ranked Test batter in the world.
Trent Bridge the judge waits:
Root now has a chance to strengthen his hold on the No. 1 ranking when England take on New Zealand in the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting on June 25. With the three-match series level at 1-1, both sides head into the contest with a lot at stake.England claimed the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded strongly with a dominant 253-run victory at The Oval, swinging momentum in their favor ahead of the decider.One of England’s biggest concerns will be finding a way to counter New Zealand pace spearhead Matt Henry, who burst into the batting lineup at The Oval with a match-winning haul of 11 wickets, including figures of 5/80 and 6/29. The hosts will also be keen to reclaim the World Test Championship standings after landing 12 points in the WTC and being fined 50 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test.
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