Joe Root moves to No. 1 in Test batter rankings
After a six-month reign as the No.1 Test batter in the ICC Rankings, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was dislodged from the top spot by England star batter Joe Root. The rankings saw a major shakeup at the top following the conclusion of the dramatic first Ashes Test, played at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Labuschagne took the premier spot in December 2022 on the back of commanding performances with the bat. However, an underwhelming start to 2023 coupled with Test specialist Root’s recent performances has seen the latter claim the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
In the recently concluded first Ashes Test, Root compiled scores of an unbeaten 118 and a second innings score of 46 runs. In the process, the flamboyant right-hander notched up his 30th Test century to take the crown of the No.1 batter in the ICC Test rankings.
On the other hand, Labuschagne, who returned dismal scores of 0 and 13 against the English side, saw him drop two places to the third spot with 877 rating points. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson claimed second place in the updated rankings.
