Key Points

Harry Brook has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings after his stellar performance against India. Shubman Gill made a significant leap to sixth place following his match-winning contributions. England's Jamie Smith and South Africa's Wiaan Mulder also saw major ranking boosts. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah retains his position as the top-ranked Test bowler.

Key Points: Harry Brook Reclaims Top Test Batter Spot as Gill Rises to No.6

  • Harry Brook surpasses Joe Root as No.1 Test batter after 158-run knock
  • Shubman Gill jumps 15 spots to career-high sixth in rankings
  • England's Jamie Smith enters top 10 Test batters after strong performance
  • Wiaan Mulder surges 34 spots after unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe
3 min read

Brook reclaims top Test batter spot, Gill rises to career-best No.6 in ICC Rankings

England's Harry Brook overtakes Joe Root as No.1 Test batter, while India's Shubman Gill climbs to a career-best sixth in ICC rankings.

"Brook rose to the top following a magnificent innings of 158 in the first innings of the second Test against India. - ICC Official Website"

Dubai, July 9

England's right-hand batter Harry Brook replaced his teammate Joe Root to reclaim the No.1 Test batter's position in the world following the latest update to the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings.

Brook rose to the top following a magnificent innings of 158 in the first innings of the second Test against India in Birmingham, with Root dropping back to second spot on the latest rankings and some 18 rating points behind his more junior teammate, as per the ICC official website.

There is further change inside the top 10 for Test batters, with India captain Shubman Gill gaining 15 places to move to a new career-best rating and up to sixth spot overall after his massive contributions in the victory over England at Edgbaston.

Gill hit 269 and 161 to cap off a superb individual match when notching his first victory as Test captain and the right-hander is now just 79 rating points behind Brook with Root (second), Kane Williamson (third), Yashasvi Jaiswal (fourth) and Steve Smith (fifth) the only players ahead of him on the rankings for Test batters.

There are also gains and a new career-high rating for England keeper Jamie Smith, who improves 16 places to 10th overall for Test batters following innings of 184 not out and 88 across the second Test against India. At the same time, South African Wiaan Mulder jumped 34 spots to 22nd on the same list after his unbeaten 367* against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Mulder declared South Africa's innings at 626/5 when he had the chance to overhaul Brian Lara's record for the highest Test score, and the 27-year-old was rewarded by jumping 12 spots to third on the list for Test all-rounders.

India veteran Ravindra Jadeja maintains a healthy lead at the top of that list, while teammate Jasprit Bumrah is still the No. 1-ranked Test bowler despite the fact that he sat out his side's victory over England in Birmingham to manage his workload, as per the ICC official website.

His Indian teammate Mohammed Siraj jumps six spots to 22nd on the list for Test bowlers following a good showing against England, while West Indies duo Shamar Joseph (up six spots to 29th) and Alzarri Joseph (up six rungs to 31st) also make gains.

There is also some change to the latest ODI rankings following Sri Lanka's 2-1 series triumph over Bangladesh at home, with skipper Charith Asalanka gaining two places to move to sixth overall behind No.1 ranked Gill on the latest list for ODI batters.

Sri Lankan teammate Kusal Mendis jumps 10 spots to move to 10th on the same list after he was adjudged Player of the Series against Bangladesh, while compatriot Wanindu Hasaranga improves 11 places to eighth on the rankings for ODI bowlers following his nine wickets across the three matches.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While Brook deserves his spot, I think ICC rankings sometimes change too quickly based on 1-2 performances. Our own Pujara has been consistent for years but never gets the recognition he deserves in these rankings.
P
Priya S
So happy to see an Indian captain making waves in Test cricket! Gill's technique against swing is improving match by match. That 269 was pure class 👏 Hope he breaks into top 3 soon!
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Aman W
Interesting to see Bumrah still no.1 despite not playing. Shows how dominant he's been! Our pace attack is world class now - Bumrah, Siraj, Shami. Remember when we only had spin legends? How times have changed!
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Nisha Z
Mulder missing Lara's record was disappointing but shows good sportsmanship. 367* is still massive! Meanwhile Jadeja continues to be our rock - best all-rounder in the world no doubt. His test average is better than many specialist batsmen!
K
Karan T
Rankings aside, what matters is winning matches. Gill led from the front and we beat England in their home. That's what counts! Though I must say, Brook's innings was special too - that's proper Test batting.

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