Matt Henry achieves career-first ICC No.1 ranking; Joe Root tops batters’ chart

The second Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval delivered more than just a series-levelling result. It also reshaped the top of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, with two experienced campaigners becoming the No.1 Test bowler and batter.

While Matt Henry produced one of the finest bowling performances of his career to power New Zealand to victory, Joe Root’s consistency with the bat was enough to see him climb back to the summit of the Test batting rankings. The latest rankings update caps off a memorable week for both players and reflects their impact during a gripping ICC World Test Championship contest in London.

Matt Henry becomes No.1 bowler in ICC Test Rankings, Joe Root becomes No.1 Test batter

Matt Henry has achieved a career-first milestone by becoming the joint No. 1-ranked bowler in Test cricket. The New Zealand fast bowler now shares the top spot with India’s Jasprit Bumrah after his match-winning display against England at The Oval.

Matt Henry picked up 11 wickets in the Test, returning figures of 5/80 in the first innings and 6/29 in the second. His performance helped him climb to 870 rating points and become just the third New Zealand bowler to occupy the No.1 position in ICC Test rankings after Jack Cowie and Sir Richard Hadlee.

The achievement is particularly significant given New Zealand had not produced a No.1-ranked Test bowler since Hadlee held the position in 1990. Henry’s current rating is also among the highest ever achieved by a New Zealand cricketer, with only Hadlee and Kane Williamson having recorded better ratings in ICC rankings history.

There was movement among the batters as well, with England veteran Joe Root returning to the No.1 position. Root’s scores of 46 and 77 against New Zealand helped him overtake teammate Harry Brook and Australia’s Travis Head.

This is the 12th time Root has reached the top of the Test batting rankings during his illustrious career. The England star and Brook have exchanged the No.1 spot multiple times over the last 18 months, highlighting the consistency both batters have shown in the longest format.

New Zealand’s victory also helped several of their batters make significant gains. Rachin Ravindra moved up to 10th place, Daryl Mitchell climbed to 16th, Glenn Phillips jumped to 31st, while Henry Nicholls surged to 40th following his century at The Oval.

New Zealand crushed England in the second Test

New Zealand levelled the three-match series 1-1 after registering a commanding 253-run victory over England at The Oval.

After being asked to bat first, the visitors posted 391 in their first innings. Glenn Phillips starred with a brilliant century, scoring 100, while Tom Blundell contributed 51 and Daryl Mitchell added 44. England responded with 291, despite Joe Root’s 46 and Matthew Fisher’s fighting fifty. Henry led the charge with the ball, claiming 5/80.

The Black Caps then tightened their grip on the match in the second innings. Henry Nicholls struck a magnificent 121, Rachin Ravindra made 76, and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 68 as New Zealand declared after scoring 362.

Chasing a daunting target of 463, England never looked comfortable. Root battled hard for 77 and Harry Brook scored 58, but Matt Henry produced a devastating spell of fast bowling. The right-arm pacer Matt Henry ripped through England’s batting order with figures of 6/29 as the hosts were bowled out for 209.

Matt Henry finished with match figures of 11 wickets and was deservedly named Player of the Match. His efforts not only levelled the series for New Zealand but also propelled him to the summit of the ICC Test bowling rankings.

ICC Men’s Test Batting and Bowling Rankings