In a sensational turn of events, Joe Root has snatched the coveted title of No.1 batter in the ICC Test Rankings from Marnus Labuschagne. The thrilling showdown unfolded during the intense clash between England and Australia in the Ashes 2023 Test series.
Root’s remarkable century in the first innings propelled him to the forefront, leaving his closest contenders, including Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head, trailing in his wake without making significant contributions.
With an impressive tally of 887 points, the former England captain now leads the rankings, followed closely by Kane Williamson, who impressively climbed two positions to secure the second spot with 883 points.
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Marnus Labuschagne maintains a strong presence in the rankings with 877 points, securing the third position. Travis Head and Babar Azam complete the top-five list with 873 and 862 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith faced a setback, dropping four places and finding himself in sixth position with 861 points. With Joe Root’s remarkable ascent, the cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation, as the shifting dynamics promise an enthralling season ahead.