Joe Root returned to the very top of the ICC Men’s Test Batsmen’s Rankings, regaining the No. 1 position in the latest rankings published on June 24, 2026. England’s regular batsman dethroned fellow Harry Brookswhich held the top spot for just two weeks after overtaking Root on June 10. Root’s return to the top marks the 12th time in his illustrious career that he has held the top spot in Test cricket.
Root overtakes Brook and Head
The latest ranking update follows the conclusion of the second Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval. Although England suffered a crushing defeat by 253 runs, Root’s scores of 46 and 77 proved enough to put him back above Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head in the batting charts. Brook’s reign at the top therefore comes to an end after a brief two-week stint, with Root re-establishing himself as the highest-ranked Test batsman in the world.
Trent Bridge decisive waits
Root will now have the chance to strengthen his grip on the No.1 ranking when England take on New Zealand in the decisive third Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, starting on June 25. With the three-match series level at 1-1, both sides head into the contest with high stakes.England took the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded decisively with a dominant 253-run victory at The Oval, shifting the momentum firmly in their favor ahead of the decider.One of England’s biggest concerns will be finding a way to counter New Zealand’s top paceman Matt Henry, who is scoring runs through the batting line-up at The Oval with an incredible 11-wicket haul, including figures of 5/80 and 6/29. The hosts will also be eager to make amends in the World Test Championship standings after being stripped of 12 WTC points and fined 50 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test.
