England’s Harry Brook has officially dethroned his teammate Joe Root to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test batting rankings, following a string of sensational performances in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.
Brook’s rise to the top comes after his match-winning knocks of 123 and 55 in the second Test in Wellington, which followed a stunning 171 in the first Test in Mount Maunganui.
Australian batter Travis Head has climbed six spots to fifth after his match-winning 140 in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in Adelaide. Meanwhile, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma has risen three places to seventh after scoring 78 and 66 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.
Pakistan’s only representative in the top 10, Saud Shakeel, remains in ninth place with a rating of 724. Shakeel has been a consistent performer for Pakistan, with his career-best rating of 728 achieved earlier this year.
| Position | Team | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | Harry Brook | 898 |
| 2 | England | Joe Root | 897 |
| 3 | New Zealand | Kane Williamson | 812 |
| 4 | India | Yashasvi Jaiswal | 811 |
| 5 | Australia | Travis Head | 781 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | Kamindu Mendis | 759 |
| 7 | South Africa | Temba Bavuma | 753 |
| 8 | New Zealand | Daryl Mitchell | 729 |
| 9 | India | Rishabh Pant | 724 |
| = | Pakistan | Saud Shakeel | 724 |
| 11 | Australia | Steven Smith | 708 |
The final Test between England and New Zealand in Hamilton, starting December 14, will be crucial in determining whether Harry Brook can hold on to the No. 1 spot or if Joe Root reclaims his crown. Meanwhile, with Australia and India locked in a fierce Border-Gavaskar Trophy battle and South Africa continuing their resurgence, the ICC Test rankings are set for more shake-ups in the coming months.