Joe Root has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, reclaiming the No. Harry Brookwho held the top spot for just two weeks after defeating Root on June 10. Root’s return to the top is the 12th time in his career that he has been ranked number 1 in cricket.
Root passes Brook and Head
The latest change follows the conclusion of the second Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval. Despite England’s massive defeat of 253 runs, Root’s 46 and 77 took him back above Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head in the batting charts. Brook’s reign at the top thus ends two weeks later, Root has re-established himself as the world’s top Test batsman.
Trent Bridge the selector is waiting
Root will now have the chance to strengthen his hold on the number 1 spot when England take on New Zealand for the series-selecting third Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting on June 25. With the three-match series at 1-1, both sides go into the tournament with a lot at stake.England bowled out the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded strongly with a 253-run victory at The Oval, swinging strongly in favor of the selectors.One of England’s main concerns will be finding a way to tackle New Zealand skipper Matt Henry, who has leapfrogged the batting line-up at The Oval with 11 wickets, including figures of 5/80 and 6/29. Players will also be keen to make amends in the World Test Championship after being awarded 12 WTC points and charged 50 per cent of their fines for falling short in the second Test.
