In a remarkable turn of events, England’s rising star Harry Brook has overtaken his teammate Joe Root to become the top-ranked Test batter in the world. This development comes after Brook’s stellar performances in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, where he scored 123 and 55 in the second Test, following his impressive 171 in the first Test.
Root, who had previously praised Brook, saying, “Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute,” now finds himself in second place, just one point behind his younger colleague. The upcoming third Test in Hamilton, starting December 14, will be crucial in determining whether Brook can maintain his top spot or if Root will reclaim his crown.
Root has held the No. 1 position nine times throughout his career, most recently taking over from New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in July this year. Williamson currently sits at No. 3 in the rankings.
At just 25 years old, Brook has already amassed an impressive 2280 runs from 38 innings across 23 Tests, boasting an average of 61.62. His record includes eight centuries, with a highest score of 317 against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024.
Root showered praise on Brook after the second Test, stating, “He can absorb pressure, he can apply it. He can whack you over your head for six. He can scoop you over his head for six. He can smack spin. He can smack seam.”
Other Movers in the Rankings
In other Test cricket action, Australia hosted India for two Tests as part of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while South Africa secured a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka at home.
Australia’s Travis Head made significant strides in the rankings, moving up six spots to fifth place after his 140 in the first innings of the Adelaide Test, which set up Australia’s ten-wicket victory. South Africa’s Temba Bavuma also climbed three places to seventh after scoring 78 and 66 in the second Test in Gqeberha, earning him the Player of the Series award for his total of 327 runs.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne showed signs of a return to form, moving up three spots to 13th following his 64 in the first innings of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
Battle for the Top Spot Among Bowlers
In the bowling department, India’s Jasprit Bumrah strengthened his position as the top-ranked Test bowler with a four-wicket haul in the first innings in Adelaide. However, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins are close behind.
Cummins’ seven wickets in the second Test propelled him from fifth to fourth place, surpassing India’s R Ashwin. Rabada maintained his second spot with 856 points, trailing Bumrah’s 890 points, after taking three wickets in Gqeberha.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry also made progress within the top ten, moving up from tenth to ninth place after claiming four wickets in Wellington.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the conclusion of the ongoing Test series in New Zealand, all eyes will be on Harry Brook and Joe Root to see who will emerge as the undisputed No. 1 Test batter in the world.
