Matt Henry has joined Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings. In the latest rankings released on June 24, 2026, both athletes are at the top with 870 points each, making them World No. 1 Swimming test.
Henry ends a 36-year wait for New Zealand pacers
Henry’s rise to the top marks a historic achievement in New Zealand Cricket. He becomes the first Kiwi fast bowler to reach No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings since Sir Richard Hadlee’s all-time fastest, ending a 36-year wait for a New Zealand skipper. Only two other NZ players have topped the rankings – Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990).Meanwhile, Bumrah had an uninterrupted reign from November 2024 before Henry’s recent surgery.
How these two giants compare
As of June 2026, two of the world’s best Test bowlers boast career-best results:
| Bowler | Test wickets | Best Bowling Pictures | Bowling Average | Economic Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 due to a successful performance in the second New Zealand Test against England at The Oval. The right-arm pacer produced figures of 11/109, claiming 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second, as New Zealand scored a total of 253 to level the three-match series. Henry and Bumrah have been operating in a league of their own in recent years. Since 2022, they are the only two fast bowlers in international cricket to have taken more than 100 wickets while still bowling under 20.
Trent Bridge awaits Matt Henry
Matt Henry stands on the brink of history as he leads the New Zealand attack in the 3rd Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting tomorrow, June 25, 2026. Freshly reclaiming the joint position of World No. If Henry can emulate his 11 wickets from The Oval, he can become the sole holder of the ICC No. 1 Test bowling spot, breaking his current tie with Jasprit Bumrah.
