Matt Henry has officially joined Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Ranking. In the latest ranking update published on June 24, 2026, the two fast bowlers are tied at the top with 870 rating points each, making the two fast bowlers joint in the world. 1 Test of bowlers.
Henry ends the 36-year wait for the New Zealand pacers
Henry’s rise to the top marks a historic achievement for New Zealand cricket. He became the first Kiwi fast bowler to reach the No.1 position in the ICC Test rankings since legendary pacer Sir Richard Hadlee, ending a 36-year wait for a New Zealand seamer. Only two other NZ bowlers have claimed the top spot in the rankings before – Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990).Bumrah, meanwhile, had enjoyed an uninterrupted reign at the top since November 2024 before Henry’s latest surge brought him level.
How the two pace giants compare
As of June 2026, the world’s two tallest Test bowlers boast outstanding career records:
| Bowler | Test Wickets | The best bowling figurines | Media Bowling | Economy Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 152 | 7/23 | 26.05 | 3.11 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 234 | 6/27 | 19.79 | 2.77 |
Henry’s rise to the top was driven by a sensational performance in New Zealand’s second Test win over England at the Oval. The right-arm seamer produced match figures of 11/109, claiming 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second, as New Zealand secured a 253-run victory to level the three-match series. Henry and Bumrah have operated in a league of their own in recent years. Since the start of 2022, they are the only two fast bowlers in world cricket to have taken more than 100 Test wickets while maintaining a bowling average below 20.
Trent Bridge waits for Matt Henry
Matt Henry stands on the precipice of history as he leads the New Zealand attack in the 3rd and deciding Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting tomorrow, June 25, 2026. Fresh off reclaiming the joint World No. 1 ranking, Henry makes a place renowned for being a fast-bowling paradise. If Henry emulates his 11-wicket exploits at The Oval, he could become the sole owner of the ICC No. 1 Test Bowling spot, breaking his current tie with Jasprit Bumrah.