Harry Brook has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Batter Rankings, dethroning his teammate Joe Root. This achievement comes after Brook’s stunning performance in the Test series against New Zealand, where he scored 123 and 55 in the second Test. This follows his impressive 171 in the first Test, which had already elevated him to the second spot.
Brook’s lead at the top is slim — just one point ahead of Root, who himself played a brilliant knock of 106 in the second innings of the second Test. With the third Test starting on December 14 in Hamilton, the race for the No. 1 spot remains wide open, and Root could reclaim his crown.
Root, who had been the No. 1 Test batter since July 2024 after surpassing Kane Williamson, has now slipped to second place. This marks the ninth time in his career that Root has held the top position in ICC Test rankings.
Harry Brook: The New King of Test Cricket
Harry Brook, at just 25, is making waves in the cricket world. His numbers speak for themselves — 2280 runs in 38 innings from 23 Tests, with an impressive average of 61.62. His record includes eight centuries, with his standout 317-run knock against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024 being a major highlight.
Joe Root, while handing the Player of the Match award to Brook after the second Test in Wellington, didn’t hold back his admiration for his younger teammate. “Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute,” said Root. “He can absorb pressure, apply it, and play all kinds of shots — from scoops over the wicketkeeper to powerful sixes off spinners and pacers alike.”
Travis Head and Temba Bavuma Make Big Moves
The recent flurry of Test cricket action has shaken up the ICC Test Batter Rankings. Australia and India are in the middle of a five-match Test series, while South Africa just completed a 2-0 home series win against Sri Lanka.
Travis Head Breaks Into the Top 5
Australian batter Travis Head delivered a match-winning 140 in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. This brilliant knock helped Australia claim a ten-wicket victory and propelled Head six places up to claim the 5th spot in the Test batter rankings.
Temba Bavuma’s Rise to 7th Spot
South African captain Temba Bavuma had a memorable series against Sri Lanka, scoring 78 and 66 in the second Test. His consistent performances earned him the Player of the Series award, and he has now moved up three spots to rank 7th in the world. Bavuma’s rise highlights his growing influence as a key player for South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne Returns to Form
Marnus Labuschagne, who had been struggling for form, displayed glimpses of his best in the pink-ball Test against India. His 64-run knock in the first innings was enough to push him up three spots to the 13th position in the ICC Test Batter Rankings.
Competition Heats Up for Test Bowling Supremacy
While batters grabbed headlines, Test bowlers were not far behind. The ICC Test Bowling Rankings also saw some movement, with Pat Cummins and Matt Henry making notable gains.
Jasprit Bumrah Holds Strong at No. 1
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains the No. 1 Test bowler. He strengthened his position with a four-wicket haul in the first Test against Australia. Bumrah leads the pack with 890 points, but the competition is close.
Kagiso Rabada Closes the Gap
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada is hot on Bumrah’s heels, maintaining his second-place position with 856 points. He picked up three wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka to stay in the chase.
Pat Cummins Moves Up
Australian captain Pat Cummins had a strong showing in the Test against India, claiming seven wickets. This helped him climb from 5th to 4th in the rankings, surpassing India’s R Ashwin.
Matt Henry Breaks Into Top 10
New Zealand’s Matt Henry was also on the move, courtesy of his four-wicket haul against England in the Wellington Test. His performance pushed him from 10th to 9th position, marking his rise as one of the world’s top Test bowlers.
Summary of ICC Test Rankings Updates
| Rankings | Player | Movement | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Batter | Harry Brook | ↑ from 2nd | 123 & 55 vs NZ, 171 in 1st Test |
| No. 2 Batter | Joe Root | ↓ from 1st | 106 in 2nd Test vs NZ |
| No. 5 Batter | Travis Head | ↑ from 11th | 140 vs India (1st Test) |
| No. 7 Batter | Temba Bavuma | ↑ from 10th | 78 & 66 vs Sri Lanka |
| No. 13 Batter | Marnus Labuschagne | ↑ from 16th | 64 vs India (1st Test) |
| No. 1 Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah | ↔ | 4-wicket haul vs Aus |
| No. 2 Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | ↔ | 3 wickets vs Sri Lanka |
| No. 4 Bowler | Pat Cummins | ↑ from 5th | 7 wickets vs India |
| No. 9 Bowler | Matt Henry | ↑ from 10th | 4 wickets vs Eng in Wellington |
Conclusion
The ICC Test Rankings are seeing fierce competition with every Test match played. Harry Brook’s meteoric rise to the No. 1 Test batter spot is one of the biggest stories in cricket right now. However, with Joe Root just one point behind, the top spot is still up for grabs.
Other players like Travis Head, Temba Bavuma, and Pat Cummins are also making headlines with their exceptional performances, while Jasprit Bumrah continues to dominate as the No. 1 Test bowler. As more matches are played, expect more drama, surprises, and movements in the ICC Test Rankings.
Stay tuned to FindCric.com for the latest updates on ICC rankings, cricket news, and match insights.