Joe Root he returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, regaining the No. 1 position in the latest rankings published on June 24, 2026. The England batting stalwart dethroned teammate. Harry Brookwhich had held the top spot for just two weeks after overtaking Root on 10 June. Root’s return to the pinnacle marks the 12th time in his illustrious career that he has held the No. 1 in Test cricket.
Root surpasses 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 253-run defeat, Root’s scores of 46 and 77 proved enough to propel him back above Australia’s Harry Brook and Travis Head in the batting charts. Brook’s reign at the top is thus over after a brief two-week stint, with Root once again establishing himself as the world’s highest-ranked Test batsman.
Ponte di Trento decide wait
Root will now have an opportunity to strengthen his hold on the No. 1 ranking. 1 when England take on New Zealand in the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting on June 25. With the three-match series level at 1-1, both sides head into the contest with a lot at stake.England claimed the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded emphatically with a dominant 253-run victory at The Oval, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor ahead of the decider.One of England’s biggest concerns will be finding a way to counter the pace of New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who tore through the batting line-up at The Oval with a remarkable 11-wicket haul, including figures of 5/80 and 6/29. The hosts will also be keen to move up in the World Test Championship standings after landing 12 WTC points and being fined 50 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test.
