Joe Root gets back the no. 1 in the ICC Test rankings before the Trent Bridge decider against New Zealand

ICC Rankings: Joe Root Claims Test No.1 (Image: ANI) Joe Root has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, reclaiming the No.1 position in the latest rankings published on 24 June 2026. The England batsman dethroned teammate Harry Brook, who held the top spot just two weeks after he overtook Root on 10 June. held the No. 1 ranking 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 move him back above both Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head in the batting charts. Brook’s reign at the top therefore ends after a brief two-week stint, and Root re-establishes himself as the highest-rated Test batsman in the world.

Referee Trent Bridge is waiting

Root will now have the opportunity to strengthen his position as the No.1 when England take on New Zealand in the deciding third Test of the series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham starting on June 25. With the three-match series level at 1-1, both sides head into a game 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, 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 pace spearhead Matt Henry, who tore through the batting line-up at The Oval with a remarkable haul of 11 wickets, 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 awarded 12 WTC points and fined 50 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test.