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International cricket has been back since last week, as the teams have already started their respective World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 campaigns. Last week, England took on New Zealand at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, which hosted its 150th Test match. After the Test match, there has been a change in the ICC Men's Test Batter Rankings; Harry Brook has claimed the top spot.
After the English Lions won the match by 115 runs, the rankings have changed for the batters as England vice-captain replaces Joe Root as the No.1 Test batter, as Harry Brook reclaims his place at the top of the Test batters list after scoring a valuable half-century during the first innings of a low-scoring ICC World Test Championship.
Around 40 wickets fell in 166 overs at Lord's, a wicket fell every 24.9 balls in a bowler-dominated game. This was a graveyard for the batters as the ICC also rated it as 'unsatisfactory' after the win.
Harry Brook surpasses Joe Root in rankings
Harry Brook, has been crucial for the Three Lions in their Bazball era was one of the two batters to have scored a fifty in the match. Harry Brook's innings of 56 were crucial for the side, and they helped him overtake Root and take the top spot among Test batters.
Joe Root only managed one and eight innings over the Test, with Harry Brook restoring the top spot he previously had in December 2024. Root has dropped to the third position as Australia batter Travis Head has gone up to the second spot despite not playing Test cricket in recent times. However, Root will look to reclaim the spot as he has two Test matches left against New Zealand.
Shubman Gill moves up to 8th position
India captain Shubman Gill has risen two places to eighth place following his 126-run innings against Afghanistan, while Ben Duckett has risen three places to 15th, English wicket-keeper Jamie Smith has risen five places to equal 23rd, and Glenn Phillips has risen 15 places to 40th after decent performances at Lord's.
Gus Atkinson, the English pacer, has gained seven spots to move to 10th overall for Test bowlers and also improved his all-rounders ranking, rising to sixth for Test all-rounders. He has picked 26 wickets in three matches at Lord's with an average of 9.5. This showcases his talent in red-ball cricket at this venue.
Nahid Rana leaps after an impressive performance against Australia
Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana leaps 23 spots to 24th after taking four wickets in the series opener against Australia at Mirpur. Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis has moved up four spots; now his ranking is joint 12th, and Janith Liyanage has risen to 22nd.
They are the big climbers on the updated list of ODI batters, while Bangladesh left-hander Tanzid Hasan has also moved up seven places to 33rd after scoring a brilliant half-century against Australia yesterday, which helped the Bangla Tigers win the game by 86 runs (DLS method). This was their first win against Australia at home and a win against them after 21 years.
