England’s Joe Root has surpassed Kane Williamson and Steve Smith to move within 10 rating points of top-ranked Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne in the updated ICC Test rankings for batters.
Root’s 115 not out in the fourth innings of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s has taken him from 843 to 882 rating points. Thanks to his ton, the hosts defeated the Kiwis by five wickets while chasing the target of 277 in the final innings.
Smith is occupying the third spot with 845 points while Williamson has slipped behind Pakistan’s Babar Azam to fifth.
England’s newly-appointed Test skipper Ben Stokes has gained two places to attain 27th spot after his second innings half-century. New Zealand’s Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell have also advanced in the updated rankings. While Blundell has moved up 15 places to 35th after scores of 14 and 96, Mitchell leapfrogged 25 places to 50th with innings of 13 and 108.
In the Test rankings for bowlers, New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson is back at his career-best third position after returning with six scalps at Lord’s.
England seamer James Anderson, who also took six wickets, has gained two places to seventh while his compatriot Matthew Potts has entered the rankings in 77th position after an impressive seven-wicket match haul on debut.
The second Test between England and New Zealand will be played at Trent Bridge from June 10.
